AeroVironment's Raven Small UAS Receives Military Type Certificate from the Italian military
AeroVironment, Inc.(AV) today announced that the General Directorate for Aircraft Weapon Systems (MoD - Italy) has issued a Military Aircraft Type-Classification Certificate for the Raven B unmanned aircraft system, the first such certificate issued in Italy in the Micro-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle category. This certificate permits Italian military personnel to fly Raven in Italy's national airspace.
Italian MoD sources indicated that this decision highlights two key advantages to the Raven B System: its high reliability, coupled with its semiautonomous behavior, which permits flights over highly populated areas without limitation; as well as its light weight and simple operation. As a result, the Raven B System will greatly increase the protection of Italian land forces in operations requiring reconnaissance at short range.
"Receiving this certification not only validates the Raven's battle-proven capability and reliability, but also represents an important step toward the operation of our small UAS in the national airspace of Italy, as well as in other NATO and European nations," said Ilker "Ike" Bayraktar, vice president of international initiatives. "There are a number of important non-military applications such as border patrol and asset monitoring that our small UAS can perform, and we now look forward to performing these missions with the Italian government's approval."
AV anticipates that other NATO countries will emulate the process employed by AV and the Italian Ministry of Defense to pursue similar Raven B certification within their respective countries. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration has chartered an Aviation Rulemaking Committee to provide recommendations as to how to safely integrate small UAS into the National Airspace System.
AV's Raven is a 4.2-pound, backpackable, hand-launched sensor platform that provides day and night, real-time video imagery for "over the hill" and "around the corner" reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of tactical units. U.S. and allied armed forces use Ravens extensively for missions such as base security, route reconnaissance, mission planning and force protection.
In addition to Raven, AV's small UAS include Puma AE and Wasp, which are also hand-launched and controlled by AV's hand-held ground control station. AV's UAS logistics operation supports systems deployed worldwide to ensure a consistently high level of operational readiness. AV has delivered more than 11,000 small unmanned aircraft to date. International purchasers of Raven include Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia and Spain.
About AeroVironment, Inc. (AV)
Building on a history of technological innovation, AV designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems. Agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services use the company's hand-launched UAS to provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. Commercial and governmental entities use AV's clean transportation solutions such as electric vehicle test systems and electric vehicle fast charge systems, as well as its clean energy solutions such as Architectural WindTM. More information about AV is available at www.avinc.com.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
-
DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
-
Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.