Army awards AV LASSO award, joining Textron, Uvision in prototyping competition
AI Analysis
The US Army has awarded AeroVironment a contract to participate in the Army’s Asynchronous Vulnerability and Lethality over Shared Spectrum (AV LASSO) prototyping competition. AeroVironment will provide its Switchblade 400 loitering munition for testing as a potential counter-drone solution. This joins Textron and Uvision as competitors in the program.
Key Takeaways
- AeroVironment received an AV LASSO award from the US Army.
- The Switchblade 400, a portable anti-armor loitering munition with medium range, will be provided for prototyping.
- AV LASSO aims to develop and field counter-drone capabilities.
- Textron and Uvision are also participating in the AV LASSO competition.
- The Switchblade 400's inclusion suggests interest in loitering munitions as a counter-UAS method.
Why It Matters
The AV LASSO program is critical for rapidly fielding effective counter-drone systems as the threat from small UAS continues to grow. The selection of the Switchblade 400 indicates a potential shift towards utilizing loitering munitions for both offensive and defensive roles against drones, offering a scalable and potentially cost-effective solution. This competition will likely shape future Army procurement decisions in the counter-UAS space.