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The fixed wing Jump 20 will be used by USSOCOM for BLOS ISR operations (Photo: Aerovironment)
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.
Learn about the portfolio of sensors and effectors for the complete counter-UAS mission at Raytheon, an RTX business.
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