U.S. Army Picks AeroVironment JUMP for Unmanned Aircraft Tests

August 19, 2022

AeroVironment has announced it received an Other Transaction Agreement award from the U.S. Army for Increment 1 of the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS). The contract includes the purchase, testing and delivery of one JUMP 20 medium unmanned aircraft system (MUAS) to a selected Army Brigade Combat Team (BCT) and associated services, training and support.

The JUMP 20 is the fixed-wing unmanned aircraft system (UAS) capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) to be deployed extensively in support of U.S. military forces, AeroVironment said. Ideal for multi-mission operations, JUMP 20 delivers more than 14 hours of endurance, a standard operational range of 115 miles (185 km), and is runway-independent. The system can be set up and operational in less than 60 minutes without the need for launch or recovery equipment, and can carry payloads of up to 30 lbs. (13.6 kg). In addition, the JUMP 20 features a common autopilot and ground control system architecture to provide modularity and configurability to meet operational or customer requirements.

“With Increment 1 of the FTUAS program, the Army will be testing and fielding the JUMP 20 on an accelerated schedule as they seek a replacement for the RQ-7B Shadow UAS currently fielded in Brigade Combat Teams,” said Gorik Hossepian, AeroVironment vice president and product line general manager for MUAS. “The combat-proven JUMP 20 is a rapidly deployable, runway independent, vertical takeoff and landing solution for the Army. Its ability to be deployed, operated and sustained from anywhere is a game-changer in theater and in situations where the enemy has invaded or destroyed infrastructure.”

For more details on the JUMP 20, visit the AeroVironment website here.