AeroVironment claims USSOCOM ISR services contract
The fixed wing Jump 20 will be used by USSOCOM for BLOS ISR operations (Photo: Aerovironment)
Aerovironment has received a new contract from USSOCOM that will include the use of fixed wing Jump 20 UAVs for ISR services.
USSOCOM has awarded AeroVironment a $22 million contract for beyond line of sight (BLOS) ISR services under Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (MEUAS) IV acquisition plans.
The contract includes Jump 20 medium UAVs being used by USSOCOM from an undisclosed location, AeroVironment confirmed in a 13 July company statement.
The ISR services include a first SATCOM-enabled UAV for BLOS operations, with contract terms covering a 12-month performance period and multiple follow-on option years for ISR services, according to AeroVironment.
Capabilities of the fixed wing Jump 20 UAV include an endurance of over 14 hours and range of 185km; it is also runway-independent. The system can be set up and operated in less than 60 minutes without launch or recovery equipment.
Additionally, the Jump 20 features a common autopilot and GCS architecture providing, AeroVironment say, a ‘highly customisable, modular platform which can be custom-configured to meet operational or customer requirements’.
Shephard Defence Insight also notes that alongside MEUAS IV the aircraft is involved in the US Army’s Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) effort.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK SMEs remain vulnerable in effort to help build sovereign capabilities, JCNSS report warns]()
UK SMEs remain vulnerable in effort to help build sovereign capabilities, JCNSS report warns
The report comes as heads of industry bodies warn that the delayed defence spending plan has left smaller and medium sized businesses in stasis, unable to plan or seek out further investment.
-
![Norway revitalises effort to acquire a tactical-class UAV with $103 million competition]()
Norway revitalises effort to acquire a tactical-class UAV with $103 million competition
Norway first scoped the requirement in 2022, and included it in a defence strategy document in 2023. The announcement of a new framework agreement appears to have breathed fresh life into the effort.
-
![March Drone Digest: Long-range, low-cost loitering munitions are changing warfare economics]()
March Drone Digest: Long-range, low-cost loitering munitions are changing warfare economics
The effective use of the Shahed-136 in the Iran war has highlighted the need for countries to acquire a domestically produced, low-cost, long-range loitering munition, with the US, Turkey and European nations all at various stages of developing a similar capability.
-
![Franco-German alliance aims to resolve FCAS woes by end of April as dispute rolls on]()
Franco-German alliance aims to resolve FCAS woes by end of April as dispute rolls on
The disagreement between French-German industry continues as both governments work to keep the programme alive and on track to develop and deliver a sixth-generation fighter jet.
-
![US Air Force is eyeing cost-effective automated counter-drone solutions]()
US Air Force is eyeing cost-effective automated counter-drone solutions
The USAF is seeking on-the-move systems, subsystems or technologies capable of defending airbases and fixed and semi-fixed sites against small drone attacks.
-
![Long-range drone acquisition axed as Norway announces $11.75 billion spending uplift]()
Long-range drone acquisition axed as Norway announces $11.75 billion spending uplift
Norway’s funding boost will help the country reach 3.5% of GDP on defence spending by 2035, with autonomous systems part of the long list of priorities alongside frigate acquisition and development of a new Finnmark Brigade.
