AeroVironment Inc (AVAV)

[abrooklyn]

AV Unveils P550: Autonomous Group 2 eVTOL UAS, Ushers in a New Era of Battlefield Adaptability and Mission Flexibility for Maneuver Forces

Source: Business Wire
AeroVironment (AV) has introduced the P550™ advanced autonomous Group 2 eVTOL uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) designed to set a new standard for battlefield adaptability and operational readiness. Leveraging a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and AI-driven autonomy, P550 is engineered to empower maneuver forces to quickly respond to evolving mission demands with rapid deployment, scalability, and superior situational awareness.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241014970187/en/

P550 autonomous eVTOL UAS transitions seamlessly from vertical launch to forward flight, carrying a multi-sensor payload. (Photo: AeroVironment)
P550 autonomous eVTOL UAS transitions seamlessly from vertical launch to forward flight, carrying a multi-sensor payload. (Photo: AeroVironment)

Unveiled at the Association of the United States Army’s (AUSA) Annual Meeting, the P550’s all-electric powertrain provides flight endurance of over 5 hours and a multi-sensor payload capacity of up to 15 pounds. This endurance and payload capability deliver critical intelligence gathering, precision targeting, and force protection in dynamic and contested environments.

"Warfighters today require systems that can quickly adapt to fluid combat scenarios, providing unmatched reliability and flexibility,” said Trace Stevenson, AV’s senior vice president and general manager of Uncrewed Systems. “P550 meets these needs through an adaptable, field-reconfigurable design that allows rapid, on-the-fly adjustments for evolving operational requirements.”

At the core of P550 is its MOSA framework, enabling seamless integration with third-party payloads, datalinks, ground control systems, and mission software. This open and scalable architecture not only future-proofs the UAS for continuous upgrades but also keeps pace with technological advancements at low cost and risk. P550's standard interfaces allow interoperability with multiple ground control systems providing operators with mission flexibility and compatibility across various platforms.

Purpose-built for rapid deployment in any environment, P550’s modular design features toolless airframe assembly with hot-swappable batteries and multi-sensor payloads ensuring maximum operational readiness. For enhanced lethality, the UAS supports a range of offensive capabilities, including laser designation, sensor-to-shooter functionalities, and proven munitions. Its modular communication architecture further boosts operational resilience by offering flexible datalink options, maintaining reliable performance even in complex, contested environments.

P550 integrates AV’s SPOTR-Edge™ Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) and AVACORE™ software suite for onboard edge computing. These advanced AI capabilities enable the UAS to autonomously detect and classify operationally relevant objects—ranging from personnel and vehicles to aircraft and maritime vessels—day or night, ultimately enhancing situational awareness and tactical decision-making on the battlefield.

Building on AV’s three-decade legacy of delivering reliable, combat-proven UAS, P550 demonstrates a continued commitment to providing intelligent, autonomous platforms that ensure operational superiority. The system’s modular, future-ready architecture allows for continuous evolution, meeting the demands of today’s battlefields while remaining prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics and connectivity. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment delivers actionable intelligence so our customers can proceed with certainty. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241014970187/en/

MEDIA
René Bardorf
AeroVironment
+1 703.418.2828
[e-mail]

[abrooklyn]

AV Secures $743 Million Additional Contract Ceiling for Switchblade Loitering Munition Systems

Source: Business Wire
AeroVironment (AV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, announced today that the U.S. Army has awarded a $54.9 million delivery order for the production of Switchblade® loitering munition systems. The recently announced award includes an additional contract ceiling of $743 million with $54.9 million in new funding. This contract is issued as part of a broader, previously executed, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract, and ensures continued support for both the U.S. Army and several allied partners, including Lithuania, Romania, and Sweden.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241014582321/en/

Switchblade 600 Loitering Munition System (Photo: AeroVironment)
Switchblade 600 Loitering Munition System (Photo: AeroVironment)

Work on this contract will be performed in Simi Valley, California, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2026. The award, which leverages fiscal 2023 and 2024 Army funds along with Foreign Military Sales, highlights AV’s ongoing commitment to delivering proven, battlefield-ready technology that meets the evolving needs of modern armed forces.

“This contract allows us to continue delivering Switchblade systems to the U.S. Army and allied partners at speed with upgraded capabilities based on real-time battlefield feedback,” said Brett Hush, AV’s senior vice president and general manager of Loitering Munition Systems. “We are honored to provide the U.S. Army and our international partners with battle-proven technology.”

AV remains focused on providing warfighters with superior, reliable, affordable systems at scale to meet the evolving requirements of its global defense customers.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics and connectivity. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment delivers actionable intelligence so our customers can proceed with certainty. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241014582321/en/

René Bardorf
AeroVironment
+1 703.418.2828
[e-mail]

[abrooklyn]

AV Showcases Next-Generation Defense Robotics at DEVCON 2024 in Orlando

Source: Business Wire
AeroVironment (AV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, hosted the inaugural Defense Robotics Developers Conference (DEVCON) in Orlando, Florida. The premier event brought together key stakeholders in defense robotics to explore the latest innovations in uncrewed systems and promote collaborative advancements in technology and operational solutions.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241007950326/en/

Inaugural Defense Robotics Developer Conference (DEVCON 24). (Photo: AeroVironment)
Inaugural Defense Robotics Developer Conference (DEVCON 24). (Photo: AeroVironment)

Brad Truesdell, AV’s senior vice president of global sales, business development, & inside sales operations, outlined AV’s vision for the future of defense robotics, emphasizing interoperability across multiple domains, streamlined software integration, and faster, more cost-effective solutions for defense partners. “At AV, we are committed to delivering cutting-edge capabilities that enable our partners to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving defense landscape. Our focus on collaboration within the U.S. supply chain ensures we continue to drive innovation while meeting the critical needs of our defense customers,” said Brad Truesdell.

Wahid Nawabi, AV’s chairman, president, and CEO, emphasized the broader strategic importance of the conference: “DEVCON represents the future of defense robotics. By bringing together the best minds and fostering collaboration, we’re shaping the defense solutions of tomorrow, ensuring they are interoperable, scalable, and adaptable to meet the complex needs of our nation’s defense ecosystem.”

DEVCON 2024 featured presentations from distinguished leaders across the defense industry. Captain Jonathan Haase (U.S. Navy) discussed strategies for building resilient robotics and AI systems capable of operating under extreme conditions. Lieutenant General Rudder (Ret.), former Commanding General of Marine Forces Pacific, addressed the strategic importance of uncrewed systems in the Asia-Pacific region. Lane Duhon, Army Portfolio Manager for Reveal Technology, highlighted how AI can enhance real-time operational intelligence, and Derek Davis, CRO for Vermeer, discussed autonomous solutions for navigation in GPS-denied environments.

The event provided an opportunity to engage with influential decision-makers, strengthening partnerships and ensuring the continued deployment of next-generation defense robotics solutions.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics and connectivity. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment delivers actionable intelligence so our customers can proceed with certainty. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241007950326/en/

MEDIA CONTACT
René Bardorf
AeroVironment
+1 703.418.2828
[e-mail]

[abrooklyn]

AV Successfully Flight Tests New Solar-Powered Aircraft, Redefines Stratospheric Payload Capabilities

Source: Business Wire
AeroVironment (AV) flight-tested an upgraded Sunglider™, enhancing its High-Altitude Platform-Station (HAPS) capabilities for commercial and government markets. The result is Horus™ A, the new version of Sunglider for government applications. Horus A is a solar-powered UAS capable of carrying up to 150 lb of payload with 1.5 kW of available power, offering industry-leading stratospheric performance.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241001672705/en/

Horus A is a solar fixed-wing designed to offer industry-leading payload capability in the stratosphere. (Photo: AeroVironment)
Horus A is a solar fixed-wing designed to offer industry-leading payload capability in the stratosphere. (Photo: AeroVironment)

Horus A features enhancements in all areas of the aircraft design, avionics, and offers unique features such as additional autonomy to increase mission flexibility and multiple redundant systems for mission assurance. Horus A received airworthiness approval from the U.S. Army and an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate to allow flight testing in the national airspace. These enhancements flow back into the continued development of Sunglider with SoftBank as both companies strive to deliver unrivaled payload capacity and persistence to unlock the full potential of both stratospheric flight and the latest, most capable payloads.

"During this recent Horus A flight, we demonstrated the ability to carry multiple payloads for the U.S. DoD and transmit real-time data, advancing the viability of HAPS for government applications," said Jeff Rodrian, AV’s senior vice president and general manager of MacCready Works. "This flight marks another milestone in our stratospheric platform’s progress. It underscores AV’s leadership in developing solar-powered, high-altitude systems with significant potential for commercial and government applications."

Continuing AV’s tradition of industry-defining firsts, Horus A simultaneously operated a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and Tactical Grade Mesh Network radio during the mission portion of the flight. Covering the majority of the flight test points, AV was able to validate multiple new and redundant systems, payload interoperability and performance enhancements. AV also demonstrated the ability to effectively maneuver in adverse and turbulent weather, landing safely, ready to return to the Stratosphere for future longer-duration missions. Horus A’s satellite-based BLOS radio and robust avionics and datalink suite will enable this platform to fill critical defense capability gaps such as resilient communications and network extension, Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT), Space Domain Awareness, long-endurance ISR, and deep sensing. Many of these capabilities can enable swarms of smaller uncrewed systems like Switchblade® 600 to be most effective on the battlefield.

After this recent stratospheric flight, which was supported by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Research and Engineering, and the Rapid Prototyping Programs, AV will continue aggressively progressing Horus A towards operational employment. Through continued partnership with SoftBank, the company aims to offer a robust connectivity solution in the world of 5G and beyond with Sunglider.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics and connectivity. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment delivers actionable intelligence so our customers can proceed with certainty. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241001672705/en/

René Bardorf
AeroVironment
+1 703.418.2828
[e-mail]

[abrooklyn]

AeroVironment Announces Fiscal 2025 First Quarter Results

Source: Business Wire
AeroVironment, Inc. (“AeroVironment” or the “Company”) reported today financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended July 27, 2024.

First Quarter Highlights:

Record first quarter revenue of $189.5 million up 24% year-over-year
First quarter net income of $21.2 million and adjusted EBITDA of $37.2 million
In August 2024 awarded U.S. Army Lethal Unmanned Systems Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (“IDIQ”) with a record contract ceiling value of $990 million and initial funding of $128 million
“AeroVironment has once again delivered excellent results, including record first-quarter revenue that’s 24% higher than the same period last fiscal year,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Our Loitering Munition Systems segment continues to be the highest growth driver for the company posting first-quarter revenue, 68% higher than the same quarter last year.

“With a growing pipeline and solid operating performance, AeroVironment is working toward achieving another record fiscal year, and we are confident that our success will carry forward into future years.”

FISCAL 2025 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $189.5 million, an increase of 24% as compared to $152.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024, reflecting higher product sales of $40.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in service revenue of $2.9 million. From a segment standpoint, the year-over-year increase was due to revenue growth in Loitering Munitions Systems (“LMS”) of 68% and UnCrewed Systems (“UxS”) of 22%, partially offset by a decrease in MacCready Works (“MW”) of 24%.

Gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $81.5 million, an increase of 24% as compared to $65.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024, reflecting higher product gross margin of $16.1 million, partially offset by lower service margin of $0.3 million. As a percentage of revenue, gross margin remained consistent at 43%. Gross margin was negatively impacted by an increase of $1.3 million of intangible amortization expense and other related non-cash purchase accounting expenses.

Income from operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $23.1 million as compared to $26.4 million for the first quarter of last fiscal year. The decrease year-over-year was due to an increase in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense of $10.0 million and an increase in research and development (“R&D”) expense of $9.1 million, partially offset by higher gross margin of $15.8 million.

Other loss, net, for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $0.5 million, as compared to $3.1 million for the first quarter of last fiscal year. The decrease in other loss, net was primarily due to a decrease in net interest expense and a decrease in net unrealized losses on investment holdings.

Provision for income taxes for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $1.5 million, as compared to $1.3 million for the first quarter of last fiscal year.

Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $21.2 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, as compared to $21.9 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, in the prior-year period, respectively.

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $37.2 million and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.89, as compared to $37.3 million and $1.00, respectively, for the first quarter of fiscal 2024.

BACKLOG

As of July 27, 2024, funded backlog (defined as remaining performance obligations under firm orders for which funding is currently appropriated to us under a customer contract) was $372.9 million, as compared to $400.2 million as of April 30, 2024. Funded backlog as of July 27, 2024 includes only initial funding for Switchblade 300 and 600s for the recently announced program wins such as the Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance or “LASSO” program, Organic Precision Fires-Light or “OPF-L” program, the Replicator Initiative, Ukraine Aid Initiative and our first Lithuanian order. Funded backlog does not include $128 million of initial funding under the recently announced IDIQ contract to deliver LMS systems for the U.S. Army’s Directed Requirement for Lethal Unmanned Systems with a contract ceiling value of $990 million. Additional funding for each of these programs is anticipated in our full year plan.

FISCAL 2025 — OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR

For fiscal year 2025, the Company continues to expect revenue of between $790 million and $820 million, net income of between $74 million and $83 million, Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of between $143 million and $153 million, earnings per diluted share of between $2.61 and $2.92 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which excludes amortization of intangible assets, other non-cash purchase accounting expenses and equity securities investments gains or losses, of between $3.18 and $3.49.

The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including certain assumptions with respect to our ability to efficiently and on a timely basis integrate acquisitions, obtain and retain government contracts, changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, react to changes in the demand for our products and services, activities of competitors, changes in the regulatory environment, and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Investors are reminded that actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

CONFERENCE CALL AND PRESENTATION

In conjunction with this release, AeroVironment, Inc. will host a conference call today, Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 4:30 pm Eastern Time that will be webcast live. Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Kevin P. McDonnell, chief financial officer and Jonah Teeter-Balin, vice president corporate development and investor relations, will host the call.

Investors may access the call by registering via the following participant registration link up to ten minutes prior to the start time.

Participant registration URL: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIabc39fbc6b534eb4aac7d5fda54c1d33

Investors may also listen to the live audio webcast via the Investor Relations page of the AeroVironment, Inc. website, http://investor.avinc.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software.

A supplementary investor presentation for the first quarter fiscal year 2025 can be accessed at https://investor.avinc.com/events-and-presentations.

Audio Replay

An audio replay of the event will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.avinc.com.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT, INC.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) provides technology solutions at the intersection of robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity that deliver more actionable intelligence so you can Proceed with Certainty. Headquartered in Virginia, AeroVironment is a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, and serves defense, government and commercial customers. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” or words or phrases with similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of our ability to successfully close and integrate acquisitions into our operations and avoid disruptions from acquisition transactions that will harm our business; the recording of goodwill and other intangible assets as part of acquisitions that are subject to potential impairments in the future and any realization of such impairments; any actual or threatened disruptions to our relationships with our distributors, suppliers, customers and employees, including shortages in components for our products; the ability to timely and sufficiently integrate international operations into our ongoing business and compliance programs; reliance on sales to the U.S. government, including uncertainties in classification, pricing or potentially burdensome imposed terms for certain types of government contracts; availability of U.S. government funding for defense procurement and R&D programs; our ability to win U.S. and international government R&D and procurement programs; changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, including due to continuing resolutions; adverse impacts of a U.S. government shutdown; our reliance on limited relationships to fund our development of HAPS UAS; our ability to execute contracts for anticipated sales, perform under such contracts and other existing contracts and obtain new contracts; risks related to our international business, including compliance with export control laws; the extensive and increasing regulatory requirements governing our contracts with the U.S. government and international customers; the consequences to our financial position, business and reputation that could result from failing to comply with such regulatory requirements; unexpected technical and marketing difficulties inherent in major research and product development efforts; the impact of potential security and cyber threats or the risk of unauthorized access to and resulting misuse of our, our customers’ and/or our suppliers’ information and systems; failure to remain a market innovator, to create new market opportunities or to expand into new markets; our ability to increase production capacity to support anticipated growth; unexpected changes in significant operating expenses, including components and raw materials; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology into current products; any increase in litigation activity or unfavorable results in legal proceedings, including pending class actions; our ability to respond and adapt to legal, regulatory and government budgetary changes, including those resulting from the impact of pandemics and similar outbreaks; our ability to comply with the covenants in our loan documents; our ability to attract and retain skilled employees; the impact of inflation; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world; and the failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

[abrooklyn]

AV Secures $990M Contract to Supply U.S. Army with Switchblade Loitering Munitions

Source: Business Wire
AV selected to deliver Switchblade systems for the U.S. Army's lethal unmanned systems requirement

AeroVironment (AV) has been awarded a contract for the U.S. Army’s Directed Requirement (DR) for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS). The 5-year contract from Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground is Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with a contract ceiling value of $990M. Deliveries of the Switchblade® systems are expected to begin in months.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240828490861/en/

The U.S. Army has awarded AeroVironment a contract for its Lethal Unmanned Systems Directed Requirement (Photo: AeroVironment)
The U.S. Army has awarded AeroVironment a contract for its Lethal Unmanned Systems Directed Requirement (Photo: AeroVironment)

The LUS Directed Requirement is the Army’s first effort to equip soldiers in infantry battalions with lethal, man-portable loitering munition systems. The combat-proven Switchblade systems will enhance soldiers' capabilities with precision flight control, greater lethality against fortified targets such as armored vehicles and tanks, and the ability to track and engage moving non-line-of-sight targets. AV was awarded a contract for the LUS Directed Requirement in December 2023 and is currently delivering systems under that contract.

“AV is proud to have been selected to provide Switchblade for this critical and urgent Army requirement,” said Brett Hush, AV’s senior vice president and general manager of Loitering Munition Systems. “This latest contract underscores the unmatched maturity and effectiveness of our system, as well as AV’s strategic positioning to rapidly produce and deliver these cutting-edge solutions to operators in the field.”

Switchblade represents the next generation of extended-range loitering munition systems, providing operators in the field with a multi-mission loitering munition system capable of multi-domain operations. The combat-proven system also features high-precision optics and extended loitering endurance.

“Starting with the LUS Directed Requirement, we are well positioned to meet the Army’s emerging needs, leveraging our robust production capability and supply chain capacity to ensure rapid fielding and enhanced combat overmatch for our soldiers,” continued Hush.

This contract further solidifies AV’s role as a leading provider of innovative unmanned solutions. The company remains committed to supporting the U.S. Army’s mission by delivering advanced technology that ensures operational superiority and enhances the safety and effectiveness of our military personnel.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT, INC.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics and connectivity. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment delivers actionable intelligence so our customers can proceed with certainty. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to definitize and execute contracts on favorable terms and to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240828490861/en/

Ashley Riser
AeroVironment
[phone]
[e-mail]

[morokoy]

Of switchblades, ravens and pumas.
https://insideunmannedsystems.com/up-close-with-wahid-nawabi-ceo-chairman-and-president-aerovironment/

[Monksdream]

AVAV new 52 week high

[abrooklyn]

AV’s Switchblade 600 Selected for Tranche 1 of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Replicator Initiative

Source: Business Wire
AeroVironment’s (AV) Switchblade 600 loitering munition system has been selected for Tranche 1 of the first iteration of the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Replicator initiative. AV’s Switchblade 600 is a man-portable, extended-range loitering munition system equipped with an anti-armor warhead for engaging larger, hardened targets at greater distances. The first iteration of the Replicator initiative aims to accelerate all-domain, attritable autonomous systems to warfighters at speed and scale.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507873781/en/

AV’s Switchblade 600 is capable of providing attritable autonomy at scale (Photo: AeroVironment)
AV’s Switchblade 600 is capable of providing attritable autonomy at scale (Photo: AeroVironment)

The first iteration of the Replicator initiative will field thousands of autonomous systems across multiple domains within the next 18-24 months, as part of the Pentagon's strategy to counter peer adversaries’ rapid military buildup. The initiative will prioritize the fielding of attritable capabilities — affordable uncrewed platforms that allow commanders to tolerate a higher degree of risk in employing these “force multiplying” systems.

“Switchblade 600 is a battle-proven system in full-rate production that can support the DoD’s desire to field thousands of autonomous systems across multiple warfighting domains,” said AV’s SVP of Loitering Munition Systems, Brett Hush.

Equipped with advanced sensors and precision flight control, Switchblade 600 is capable of quick and easy deployment via tube launch and can fly, track and engage non-line of sight targets. Switchblade 600’s patented wave-off and recommit capability allows operators to abort the mission and re-engage as the mission requires.

“Our uncrewed systems, autonomy technology and computer vision software can help achieve multidomain operations in a heavily contested battlespace, at very low costs and high levels of resiliency,” continued Hush. “We have not only invested in the maturation of such disruptive technologies but also the production capability and capacity to produce large volumes at the level of reliability that the U.S. DoD expects.”

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics and connectivity. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment delivers actionable intelligence so our customers can proceed with certainty. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507873781/en/

Ashley Riser
AeroVironment, Inc.
[phone]
[e-mail]

[abrooklyn]

AV’s Switchblade 300 Selected for U.S. Marine Corps’ Organic Precision Fires-Light Program

Source: Business Wire
The Switchblade 300 Block 20 system is battle-proven and production-ready to support Marine Infantry

AeroVironment (AV) was selected by the U.S. Marine Corps for the first phase of the Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) program of record. AV’s Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition system (LMS) will provide the Marine Corps with organic, anti-armor/anti-personnel, precision fires capability at the tactical level. AV was awarded an initial order of $8.9M on a contract with a maximum potential value of $249M.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240418172438/en/

AV’s Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition will provide the Marine Corps with organic, precision-strike capability at the tactical level. (Photo: AeroVironment)
AV’s Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition will provide the Marine Corps with organic, precision-strike capability at the tactical level. (Photo: AeroVironment)

AV’s Switchblade 300 Block 20 supports the OPF-L program’s request for an individually operated, man-portable loitering munition with a lightweight, precision-guided capability against beyond- line-of-sight adversaries. Switchblade 300 will ensure that Marines are properly equipped and sustained with a lethal, reliable, organic capability for rapid target engagement while minimizing collateral damage and exposure to threat weapon systems.

“AV offers a battle-proven and production-ready system to support OPF-L to meet the Marine Corps’ requirements,” said AV’s Senior Vice President of LMS, Brett Hush. “Our mature and trusted manufacturing capability combined with world-class training and support will ensure Marine Infantry is adequately prepared for the fight.”

AV’s Switchblade 300 has been deployed in support of urgent operational needs to combat theaters since 2012. Switchblade 300 Block 20 is the next generation of the system that capitalizes on over a decade of user assessments, combat deployments, and lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine, including operating in contested environments.

The Switchblade Block 20 system significantly expands on the currently fielded Switchblade 300 capabilities, including armor penetrating capability through an Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) warhead, increased target attack angle, and significantly greater battery life, flight endurance, and radio link range.

“With over 6,000 Switchblade loitering missiles tested, produced, and fielded, AV is in a unique position to offer revolutionary organic precision fire capabilities to the USMC, leveraging the proven reliability, producibility and supportability of current Switchblade programs,” continued Hush.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics and connectivity. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment delivers actionable intelligence so our customers can proceed with certainty. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240418172438/en/

Ashley Riser
AeroVironment, Inc.
[phone]
[e-mail]

[abrooklyn]

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) – AeroVironment exceeded expectations with third-quarter profits, driven by strong demand. Net profit reached $13.9 million, while revenue rose to $186.6 million. President Wahid Nawabi anticipates the company’s best year to date. Shares are up 18.4% in Tuesday’s pre-market.

[abrooklyn]

AeroVironment Announces Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Results

Source: Business Wire
AeroVironment, Inc. (“AeroVironment” or the “Company”) reported today financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended January 27, 2024.

Third Quarter Highlights:

Record third quarter revenue of $186.6 million, up 39% year-over-year
Third quarter net income of $13.9 million and adjusted EBITDA of $28.8 million, increases of $14.6 million and $5.1 million, year-over-year, respectively
Funded backlog of $462.8 million as of January 27, 2024
“Once again, AeroVironment has delivered outstanding results, including a record for third quarter revenue that’s nearly 40% above the same period last fiscal year,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Solid bottom-line results, fueled by record demand and strong operating execution, have us on track for our best year ever. In addition, the Company continues to show tremendous growth in the Loitering Munition Systems segment, which delivered record revenue in the quarter.

“With the increased global demand for our solutions, strong backlog and growing pipeline, AeroVironment remains well positioned for continued growth. As such, we are raising and narrowing our fiscal year revenue guidance for 2024 to between $700 million and $710 million, and we continue to anticipate double-digit revenue growth in fiscal year 2025.”

FISCAL 2024 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $186.6 million, an increase of 39% as compared to $134.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2023, reflecting higher product sales of $64.7 million, partially offset by lower service revenue of $12.5 million. From a segment standpoint, the year-over-year increase was due to revenue growth in Loitering Munitions Systems (“LMS”) of 140% and Unmanned Systems (“UMS”) of 23%, partially offset by a decrease in MacCready Works (“MW”) of 13%.

Gross margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $67.3 million, an increase of 48% as compared to $45.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2023, reflecting higher product margin of $20.1 million and higher service gross margin of $1.7 million. As a percentage of revenue, gross margin increased to 36% from 34%, primarily due to an increase in the proportion of product revenue to total revenue, partially offset by an unfavorable product mix. Gross margin was favorably impacted by a decrease in depreciation charges for in-service assets of $5.3 million related to the closure of COCO site locations during fiscal year 2023. Gross margin was negatively impacted by $4.0 million of intangible amortization expense and other related non-cash purchase accounting expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 as compared to $3.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2023.

Income from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $14.3 million as compared to $4.6 million for the third quarter of last fiscal year. The increase year-over-year was primarily due higher gross margin of $21.8 million, partially offset by increases in research and development (“R&D”) expense of $9.0 million and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense of $3.1 million.

Other income, net, for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $0.9 million, as compared to other loss, net of $5.4 million for the third quarter of last fiscal year. The increase in other income, net was primarily due to increases in net unrealized gains on investment holdings and interest income and a decrease in interest expense.

Provision for income taxes for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $1.3 million, as compared to a benefit of $(0.5) million for the third quarter of last fiscal year. The increase in provision for income taxes was primarily attributable to an increase in income before income taxes.

Net income attributable to AeroVironment for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $13.9 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, as compared to net loss attributable to AeroVironment of $(0.7) million, or $(0.03) per diluted share, in the prior-year period, respectively.

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $28.8 million and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.63, as compared to $23.7 million and $0.33, respectively, for the third quarter of fiscal 2023.

BACKLOG

As of January 27, 2024, funded backlog (defined as remaining performance obligations under firm orders for which funding is currently appropriated to us under a customer contract) was $462.8 million, as compared to $424.1 million as of April 30, 2023.

FISCAL 2024 — OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR

For fiscal year 2024, the Company now expects revenue of between $700 million and $710 million, net income of between $51 million and $55 million, Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of between $122 million and $127 million, earnings per diluted share of between $1.86 and $2.00 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which excludes amortization of intangible assets, other non-cash purchase accounting expenses and equity securities investments gains or losses, of between $2.69 and $2.83.

The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including certain assumptions with respect to our ability to efficiently and on a timely basis integrate acquisitions, obtain and retain government contracts, changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, react to changes in the demand for our products and services, activities of competitors, changes in the regulatory environment, and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Investors are reminded that actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

CONFERENCE CALL AND PRESENTATION

In conjunction with this release, AeroVironment, Inc. will host a conference call today, Monday, March 4, 2024, at 4:30 pm Eastern Time that will be webcast live. Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Kevin P. McDonnell, chief financial officer and Jonah Teeter-Balin, senior director corporate development and investor relations, will host the call.

Investors may access the call by registering via the following participant registration link up to ten minutes prior to the start time.

Participant registration URL: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI2e69517f68da41c0ade849312a1992e2

Investors may also listen to the live audio webcast via the Investor Relations page of the AeroVironment, Inc. website, http://investor.avinc.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software.

A supplementary investor presentation for the third quarter fiscal year 2024 can be accessed at https://investor.avinc.com/events-and-presentations.

Audio Replay

An audio replay of the event will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.avinc.com.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT, INC.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics and connectivity. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment delivers actionable intelligence so our customers can proceed with certainty. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” or words or phrases with similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of our ability to successfully close and integrate acquisitions into our operations and avoid disruptions from acquisition transactions that will harm our business, including the acquisition of Tomahawk Robotics; the recording of goodwill and other intangible assets as part of acquisitions that are subject to potential impairments in the future and any realization of such impairments; any actual or threatened disruptions to our relationships with our distributors, suppliers, customers and employees, including shortages in components for our products; the ability to timely and sufficiently integrate international operations into our ongoing business and compliance programs; reliance on sales to the U.S. government, including uncertainties in classification, pricing or potentially burdensome imposed terms for certain types of government contracts; availability of U.S. government funding for defense procurement and R&D programs; changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, including due to continuing resolutions; adverse impacts of a U.S. government shutdown; our reliance on limited relationships to fund our development of HAPS UAS; our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new contracts; risks related to our international business, including compliance with export control laws; the extensive and increasing regulatory requirements governing our contracts with the U.S. government and international customers; the consequences to our financial position, business and reputation that could result from failing to comply with such regulatory requirements; unexpected technical and marketing difficulties inherent in major research and product development efforts; the impact of potential security and cyber threats or the risk of unauthorized access to and resulting misuse of our, our customers’ and/or our suppliers’ information and systems; uncertainty in the customer adoption rate of commercial use unmanned aircraft systems; failure to remain a market innovator, to create new market opportunities or to expand into new markets; unexpected changes in significant operating expenses, including components and raw materials; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology into current products; any increase in litigation activity or unfavorable results in legal proceedings, including pending class actions; our ability to respond and adapt to legal, regulatory and government budgetary changes, including those resulting from the impact of pandemics and similar outbreaks; our ability to comply with the covenants in our loan documents; our ability to attract and retain skilled employees; the impact of inflation; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world; and the failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this earnings release also contains non-GAAP financial measures. See in the financial tables below the calculation of these measures, the reasons why we believe these measures provide useful information to investors, and a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures

[Monksdream]

AeroVironment Announces Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Results
March 04 2024 - 04:10PM
Business Wire
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AeroVironment, Inc. (“AeroVironment” or the “Company”) reported today financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended January 27, 2024.

Third Quarter Highlights:

Record third quarter revenue of $186.6 million, up 39% year-over-year
Third quarter net income of $13.9 million and adjusted EBITDA of $28.8 million, increases of $14.6 million and $5.1 million, year-over-year, respectively
Funded backlog of $462.8 million as of January 27, 2024
“Once again, AeroVironment has delivered outstanding results, including a record for third quarter revenue that’s nearly 40% above the same period last fiscal year,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Solid bottom-line results, fueled by record demand and strong operating execution, have us on track for our best year ever. In addition, the Company continues to show tremendous growth in the Loitering Munition Systems segment, which delivered record revenue in the quarter.
AVAV new 52 week high

[Monksdream]

AVAV 10Q March 4

[abrooklyn]

AeroVironment Awarded $16 Million U.S. Navy Contract for the Advancement of Video Analytics and Computer Vision Research to Support Multi-Domain Robotics Initiatives

Source: Business Wire
AeroVironment, Inc. today announced it received a $16,098,922 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract from the U.S. Navy for the advancement of video analytics and computer vision research to support multi-domain robotics initiatives. This contract is in support of the Small Business Innovation Research Phase III “Automated Entity Classification in Video Using Soft Biometrics” and will be managed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, New Jersey.

AeroVironment's focus is on developing a video analytics software ecosystem for the government that can be used across platforms (both internal and external to AeroVironment) to provide enhanced situational awareness and capabilities for the warfighter in a wide range of mission areas.

“This is a multi-year effort that will allow us to explore and implement new research initiatives and provide critical processing capabilities to AeroVironment products, integration partners, and other research organizations,” said Jeff Rodrian, senior vice president and general manager for the MacCready Works Segment. “This investment will allow us to optimize how current Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) and Targeting are performed throughout the United States DoD.”

Building on 50 years of innovation, AeroVironment draws from a legacy in multi-domain robotic systems; its pioneering autonomy and advanced perception capabilities serve as a force multiplier for warfighters today and tomorrow.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT, INC.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a global leader in intelligent multi-domain robotic systems, uncrewed aircraft and ground systems, sensors, software analytics, and connectivity. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, AeroVironment delivers actionable intelligence so our customers can proceed with certainty. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231212709224/en/

Angela Schutt
AeroVironment, Inc.
[e-mail]

[budgetthis]

Well, isn’t this special……lol,

[abrooklyn]

AeroVironment Announces Fiscal 2024 Second Quarter Results

Source: Business Wire
AeroVironment, Inc. (“AeroVironment” or the “Company”) reported today financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended October 28, 2023.

Second Quarter Highlights:

Second quarter revenue of $180.8 million, up 62% year-over-year
Second quarter net income of $17.8 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $39.5 million, increases of 366% and 481%, year-over-year, respectively
Funded backlog of $487.0 million as of October 28, 2023
Increasing fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance to between $685 million and $705 million, including the recently completed acquisition of Tomahawk Robotics
“Our results exceeded expectations, underscored by the highest second quarter revenue in company history combined with strong bottom-line performance,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Sales rose significantly year-over-year, reflecting increasing demand, strong operational execution and effective supply chain management. At the same time, we successfully completed the acquisition of Tomahawk Robotics, and we are well on our way to fully integrating these two great organizations – leveraging our combined technology to accelerate the implementation of AI and autonomy applications across our portfolio of unmanned platforms through a common operating platform.

“Given our standout performance and solid backlog, along with the addition of Tomahawk, we are again raising our revenue guidance for fiscal year 2024. Our optimism not only reflects near-term demand dynamics but also reflects an ongoing shift in battlefield priorities to the more frequent use of distributed, intelligent, multi-domain unmanned systems.”

FISCAL 2024 SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

Revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $180.8 million, an increase of 62% as compared to $111.6 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023, reflecting higher product sales of $83.4 million, partially offset by lower service revenue of $14.2 million. From a segment standpoint, the year-over-year increase was due to revenue growth in Unmanned Systems (“UMS”) of 115%, partially offset by decreases in MacCready Works (“MW”) of 6% and Loitering Munitions Systems (“LMS”) of 3%.

Gross margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $75.4 million, an increase of 191% as compared to $25.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023, reflecting higher product margin of $43.8 million and higher service gross margin of $5.6 million. As a percentage of revenue, gross margin increased to 42% from 23%, primarily due to an increase in the proportion of product revenue to total revenue and a favorable product mix. Gross margin was favorably impacted by a decrease in depreciation charges for in-service assets of $7.1 million related to the closure of COCO site locations during fiscal year 2023. Gross margin was negatively impacted by $3.2 million of intangible amortization expense and other related non-cash purchase accounting expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 as compared to $4.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2023.

Income from operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $25.2 million as compared to loss from operations of $(14.3) million for the second quarter of last fiscal year. The increase year-over-year was primarily due higher gross margin of $49.5 million, partially offset by increases in research and development (“R&D”) expense of $5.4 million and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense of $4.5 million.

Other loss, net, for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $4.8 million, as compared to $1.5 million for the second quarter of last fiscal year. The increase in other expense was primarily due to an increase in unrealized losses on investment holdings.

Provision for income taxes for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $1.1 million, as compared to a benefit from income taxes of $(10.5) million for the second quarter of last fiscal year. The increase in provision for income taxes was primarily due to the increase in pre-tax income.

Net income attributable to AeroVironment for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $17.8 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, as compared to net loss attributable to AeroVironment of $(6.7) million, or $(0.27) per diluted share, in the prior-year period, respectively.

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was $39.5 million and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.97, as compared to $6.8 million and $0.01, respectively, for the second quarter of fiscal 2023.

BACKLOG

As of October 28, 2023, funded backlog (defined as remaining performance obligations under firm orders for which funding is currently appropriated to us under a customer contract) was $487.0 million, as compared to $424.1 million as of April 30, 2023.

FISCAL 2024 — OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR

For fiscal year 2024, the Company now expects revenue of between $685 million and $705 million, net income of between $45 million and $51 million, Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of between $119 million and $127 million, earnings per diluted share of between $1.66 and $1.90 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which excludes amortization of intangible assets, other non-cash purchase accounting expenses and equity securities investments gains or losses, of between $2.46 and $2.70.

The revised outlook includes the impacts of the recent acquisition of Tomahawk Robotics, Inc. The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including certain assumptions with respect to our ability to efficiently and on a timely basis integrate acquisitions, obtain and retain government contracts, changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, react to changes in the demand for our products and services, activities of competitors, changes in the regulatory environment, and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Investors are reminded that actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

CONFERENCE CALL AND PRESENTATION

In conjunction with this release, AeroVironment, Inc. will host a conference call today, Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 4:30 pm Eastern Time that will be webcast live. Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Kevin P. McDonnell, chief financial officer and Jonah Teeter-Balin, senior director corporate development and investor relations, will host the call.

Investors may access the call by registering via the following participant registration link up to ten minutes prior to the start time.

Participant registration URL: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI64ffae409eb84e6c946d9347cf5e6c50

Investors may also listen to the live audio webcast via the Investor Relations page of the AeroVironment, Inc. website, http://investor.avinc.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software.

A supplementary investor presentation for the second quarter fiscal year 2024 can be accessed at https://investor.avinc.com/events-and-presentations.

Audio Replay

An audio replay of the event will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.avinc.com.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT, INC.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) provides technology solutions at the intersection of robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity that deliver more actionable intelligence so you can Proceed with Certainty. Headquartered in Virginia, AeroVironment is a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, and serves defense, government and commercial customers. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” or words or phrases with similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of our ability to successfully close and integrate acquisitions into our operations and avoid disruptions from acquisition transactions that will harm our business, including the acquisition of Tomahawk Robotics; the recording of goodwill and other intangible assets as part of acquisitions that are subject to potential impairments in the future and any realization of such impairments; any actual or threatened disruptions to our relationships with our distributors, suppliers, customers and employees, including shortages in components for our products; the ability to timely and sufficiently integrate international operations into our ongoing business and compliance programs; reliance on sales to the U.S. government, including uncertainties in classification, pricing or potentially burdensome imposed terms for certain types of government contracts; availability of U.S. government funding for defense procurement and R&D programs; changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, including due to continuing resolutions; adverse impacts of a U.S. government shutdown; our reliance on limited relationships to fund our development of HAPS UAS; our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new contracts; risks related to our international business, including compliance with export control laws; potential need for changes in our long-term strategy in response to future developments; the extensive and increasing regulatory requirements governing our contracts with the U.S. government and international customers; the consequences to our financial position, business and reputation that could result from failing to comply with such regulatory requirements; unexpected technical and marketing difficulties inherent in major research and product development efforts; the impact of potential security and cyber threats or the risk of unauthorized access to and resulting misuse of our, our customers’ and/or our suppliers’ information and systems; changes in the supply and/or demand and/or prices for our products and services; increased competition; uncertainty in the customer adoption rate of commercial use unmanned aircraft systems; failure to remain a market innovator, to create new market opportunities or to expand into new markets; unexpected changes in significant operating expenses, including components and raw materials; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology into current products; any increase in litigation activity or unfavorable results in legal proceedings, including pending class actions; our ability to respond and adapt to unexpected legal, regulatory and government budgetary changes, including those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemics, such as supply chain disruptions and delays, potential governmentally-mandated shutdowns, travel restrictions and site access, diversion of government resources to non-defense priorities, and other business restrictions affecting our ability to manufacture and sell our products and provide our services; our ability to comply with the covenants in our loan documents; our ability to attract and retain skilled employees; the impact of inflation; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world; and the failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

[budgetthis]

Another marvelous AeroVironment day, I see.

Gonna be a great end of the year, and continuation into 2024, imho.

$$ AVAV $$

[Monksdream]

AVAV new 52 week high

[Monksdream]

AVAV new 52 week high

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AeroVironment Announces Fiscal 2024 First Quarter Results

Source: Business Wire
AeroVironment, Inc. (“AeroVironment” or the “Company”) reported today financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended July 29, 2023.

First Quarter Highlights:

First quarter revenue of $152.3 million, up 40% year-over-year
First quarter net income of $21.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $37 million, an increase of 361% and 185%, respectively
Record funded backlog of $539.7 million as of July 29, 2023, an increase of 27% from prior quarter
Raising revenue and Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA guidance ranges
“We delivered record first quarter results,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Revenue climbed 40% year-over-year due to higher shipments across all our business segments, indicative of robust demand for our innovative, intelligent, multi-domain unmanned systems. Gross margins, as a percent of sales, also increased significantly, while our funded backlog increased to a new record of $540 million – from $424 million at the start of the fiscal year – reflecting nearly $270 million in new bookings during the quarter. Since fiscal year 2024 is off to such a great start, we are also raising full year guidance to reflect our improved outlook for the Company.

“Additionally, we took steps to further strengthen and expand our product portfolio through our previously announced acquisition of Tomahawk Robotics. This transaction – which is expected to close in the second quarter – will add common control solutions with advanced open standard communications technologies – namely the Kinesis Ecosystem – to our current AI enabled software suite. We expect that this acquisition enhances AeroVironment’s existing control and communications solutions, opens up adjacent market opportunities, enables multi-domain integration across all unmanned platforms, and brings additional top notch software engineering talent to our growing team,” continued Nawabi. “We look forward to continued strong execution by our team and are optimistic about growing AeroVironment to new heights this fiscal year.”

FISCAL 2024 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $152.3 million, an increase of 40% as compared to $108.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2023, reflecting higher product sales of $61.5 million, partially offset by lower service revenue of $17.7 million. From a segment standpoint, the change year-over-year was due to revenue growth in Unmanned Systems (“UMS”) of 45%, Loitering Munitions Systems (“LMS”) of 34% and MacCready Works (“MW”) of 31%.

Gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $65.7 million, an increase of 95% as compared to $33.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2023, reflecting higher product margin of $32.8 million, partially offset by lower service gross margin of $0.8 million. As a percentage of revenue, gross margin percentage increased to 43% from 31%, primarily due to an increase in the proportion of product revenue to total revenue. Gross margin was negatively impacted by $2.4 million of intangible amortization expense and other related non-cash purchase accounting expenses in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 as compared to $3.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2023.

Income from operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $26.4 million as compared to loss from operations of $(3.3) million for the first quarter of last fiscal year. The increase year-over-year was primarily due higher gross margin of $31.9 million, partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense of $1.9 million.

Other loss, net, for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $3.1 million, as compared to $2.0 million for the first quarter of last fiscal year. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in interest rates on the Company’s debt facility. Other loss, net for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 includes unrealized losses associated with changes in the fair market value of equity security investments.

Provision for income taxes for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $1.3 million, as compared to $2.6 million for the first quarter of last fiscal year. The decrease in provision for income taxes was primarily due to a decrease in the full year effective tax rate.

Net income attributable to AeroVironment for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was $21.9 million, or $0.84 per diluted share, as compared to net loss attributable to AeroVironment of $(8.4) million, or $(0.34) per diluted share, in the prior-year period, respectively.

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was approximately $37 million and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $1.00, as compared to approximately $13 million and non-GAAP loss per diluted per share of $(0.08), respectively, for the first quarter of fiscal 2023.

BACKLOG

As of July 29, 2023, funded backlog (defined as remaining performance obligations under firm orders for which funding is currently appropriated to us under a customer contract) was $539.7 million, as compared to $424.1 million as of April 30, 2023.

FISCAL 2024 — OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR

For fiscal year 2024, the Company now expects revenue of between $645 million and $675 million, net income of between $51 million and $59 million, Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of between $117 million and $127 million, earnings per diluted share of between $1.91 and $2.21 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which excludes amortization of intangible assets, other non-cash purchase accounting expenses and equity securities investments gains or losses, of between $2.30 and $2.60.

The outlook does not reflect the impacts of the recently announced acquisition of Tomahawk Robotics, Inc. The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including certain assumptions with respect to our ability to efficiently and on a timely basis integrate acquisitions, obtain and retain government contracts, changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, react to changes in the demand for our products and services, activities of competitors, changes in the regulatory environment, and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Investors are reminded that actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

CONFERENCE CALL AND PRESENTATION

In conjunction with this release, AeroVironment, Inc. will host a conference call today, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 4:30 pm Eastern Time that will be webcast live. Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Kevin P. McDonnell, chief financial officer, and Jonah Teeter-Balin, senior director corporate development and investor relations, will host the call.

Investors may access the call by registering via the following participant registration link up to ten minutes prior to the start time.

Participant registration URL: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI15f3f4201ad342ac9ad87ea3031189a2

Investors may also listen to the live audio webcast via the Investor Relations page of the AeroVironment, Inc. website, http://investor.avinc.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software.

A supplementary investor presentation for the first quarter fiscal year 2024 can be accessed at https://investor.avinc.com/events-and-presentations.

Audio Replay

An audio replay of the event will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.avinc.com.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT, INC.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) provides technology solutions at the intersection of robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity that deliver more actionable intelligence so you can Proceed with Certainty. Headquartered in Virginia, AeroVironment is a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, and serves defense, government and commercial customers. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” or words or phrases with similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of our ability to successfully close and integrate acquisitions into our operations and avoid disruptions from acquisition transactions that will harm our business, including the pending acquisition of Tomahawk Robotics; the recording of goodwill and other intangible assets as part of acquisitions that are subject to potential impairments in the future and any realization of such impairments; any disruptions or threatened disruptions to our relationships with our distributors, suppliers, customers and employees, including shortages in components for our products; the ability to timely and sufficiently integrate international operations into our ongoing business and compliance programs; reliance on sales to the U.S. government, including uncertainties in classification, pricing or potentially burdensome imposed terms for certain types of government contracts; availability of U.S. government funding for defense procurement and R&D programs; changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, including due to continuing resolutions; adverse impacts of a U.S. government shutdown; our reliance on limited relationships to fund our development of HAPS UAS; our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new contracts; risks related to our international business, including compliance with export control laws; potential need for changes in our long-term strategy in response to future developments; the extensive and increasing regulatory requirements governing our contracts with the U.S. government and international customers; the consequences to our financial position, business and reputation that could result from failing to comply with such regulatory requirements; unexpected technical and marketing difficulties inherent in major research and product development efforts; the impact of potential security and cyber threats or the risk of unauthorized access to and resulting misuse of our, our customers’ and/or our suppliers’ information and systems; changes in the supply and/or demand and/or prices for our products and services; increased competition; uncertainty in the customer adoption rate of commercial use unmanned aircraft systems; failure to remain a market innovator, to create new market opportunities or to expand into new markets; unexpected changes in significant operating expenses, including components and raw materials; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology into current products; any increase in litigation activity or unfavorable results in legal proceedings, including pending class actions; our ability to respond and adapt to unexpected legal, regulatory and government budgetary changes, including those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemics, such as supply chain disruptions and delays, potential governmentally-mandated shutdowns, travel restrictions and site access, diversion of government resources to non-defense priorities, and other business restrictions affecting our ability to manufacture and sell our products and provide our services; our ability to comply with the covenants in our loan documents; our ability to attract and retain skilled employees; the impact of inflation; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world; and the failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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AVAV No 1 on the Barchart Top 100
https://www.barchart.com/stocks/performance/percent-change/advances?timeFrame=today&viewName=main&screener=overall&orderBy=percentChange&orderDir=desc

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AeroVironment Inc NASDAQ: AVAV

GoSymbol lookup
Industrials : Aerospace & Defense | Small Cap BlendCompany profile
AeroVironment, Inc. designs, develops, produces, delivers and supports a technologically advanced portfolio of intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems and related services for government agencies and businesses. The Company’s segments include Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS), Tactical Missile Systems (TMS), Medium Unmanned Aircraft Systems (MUAS) and All other. The SUAS segment focuses primarily on products designed to operate reliably at low altitudes in a range of environmental conditions. The TMS segment focuses primarily on tube-launched aircraft that deploy with the push of a button. The MUAS segment focuses on designing, engineering, tools, and engineering unmanned aerial and aircraft systems, including airborne platforms, payloads and payload integration, ground control systems, and ground support equipment and other items and services. All other segments include High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite Unmanned Aircraft Systems (HAPS), MacCready Works and UGV.

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AeroVironment Announces Fiscal 2023 Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Results

Source: Business Wire
AeroVironment, Inc. (“AeroVironment” or the “Company”) reported today financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended April 30, 2023.

Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Highlights

Record full fiscal year and fourth quarter revenue of $540.5 million and $186.0 million, up 21% and 40% over prior period, respectively
Record funded backlog of $424.1 million as of April 30, 2023
Company on track for nearly 20% top line growth in fiscal year 2024 with expected revenue of between $630 million and $660 million
“I am pleased to report that, as expected, we had a very strong finish to fiscal 2023 to close out the Company’s best year ever,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and chief executive officer. “With our record setting revenue and backlog, we are well positioned for another strong growth year in Fiscal 2024. Even though AeroVironment was not selected to proceed further with increment 2 of FTUAS, AeroVironment has never been in better shape with regards to its future than it is today. Given our pipeline, record backlog and global tailwinds supporting our broad portfolio of robotic solutions – bolstered by the strong performance of our systems in Ukraine – we are at the beginning of a new phase of growth that will lead to further attractive returns for our shareholders. Last year was really an inflection point in terms of our long-term strategic vision to build the premier unmanned robotic solutions provider in the world. With expanding markets, a newfound appreciation of our solutions by foreign customers, and broad support for our products here at home, the Company is well positioned for great success going forward.”

FISCAL 2023 FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS

Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $186.0 million, an increase of 40% as compared to $132.6 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, reflecting higher product sales of $67.6 million, partially offset by lower service revenue of $14.1 million. From a segment standpoint, the change year-over-year was primarily due to growth in Small UAS (“SUAS”) of $35.4 million and Tactical Missile Systems (“TMS”) of $22.3 million, partially offset by a $14.7 million decline in Medium UAS (“MUAS”) revenue.

Gross margin for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $68.4 million, an increase of 41% as compared to $48.6 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, reflecting higher product margin of $31.1 million, partially offset by lower service gross margin of $11.3 million. As a percentage of revenue, gross margin percentage remained consistent at 37%. Gross margin was negatively impacted by $8.0 million of accelerated depreciation and intangible amortization expense and other related non-cash purchase accounting expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 as compared to $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.

Impairment of goodwill for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $156.0 million. In May 2023 notification was received that AV was not down selected for a US DoD program of record, which represented a trigger event that indicated that the carrying value of the MUAS reporting unit exceeded its fair value. As a result of the decrease in expected cash flows a goodwill impairment charge of $156.0 million was recorded.

Loss from operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $165.7 million as compared to income from operations of $13.0 million for the fourth quarter of last fiscal year. The decrease year-over-year was primarily due to the goodwill impairment of $156.0 million recorded during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 related to MUAS, higher selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense of $39.7 million, inclusive of $34.1 million of accelerated intangible amortization expenses associated with the closure of all of the Company’s MUAS COCO sites, and higher research and development (“R&D”) expense of $2.8 million, partially offset by an increase in gross margin of $19.8 million.

Other loss, net, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $(0.8) million, as compared to other income, net, of $5.3 million for the fourth quarter of last fiscal year. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in interest rates on the Company’s debt facility. Other loss, net for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 includes unrealized gains and losses associated with changes in the fair market value of equity security investments. Other income, net for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 included a $6.5 million gain related to the sale of ownership in HAPSMobile Inc.

Benefit from income taxes for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $(6.3) million, as compared to provision for income taxes of $15.5 million for the fourth quarter of last fiscal year. The increase in benefit from income taxes was primarily due to an increase in loss before income taxes partially offset by non-deductible goodwill impairment expenses.

Equity method investment loss, net of tax, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $(0.3) million, as compared to equity method investment income $4.4 million for the fourth quarter of last fiscal year. Subsequent to the sale of the equity interest in HAPSMobile during the three months ended April 30, 2022, equity method investment loss, net of tax no longer includes activity from HAPSMobile.

Net loss attributable to AeroVironment for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $(160.5) million, or $(6.31) per diluted share, as compared to net income attributable to AeroVironment of $7.3 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, in the prior-year period, respectively. Net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 included goodwill impairment charges of $156.0 million and accelerated intangible amortization expenses of $34.1 million.

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was approximately $46 million and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.99, as compared to approximately $29 million and $0.12, respectively, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.

BACKLOG

As of April 30, 2023, funded backlog (defined as remaining performance obligations under firm orders for which funding is currently appropriated to us under a customer contract) was $424.1 million, as compared to $210.8 million as of April 30, 2022.

FISCAL 2024 — OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR

For fiscal year 2024, the Company expects revenue of between $630 million and $660 million, net income of between $50 and $58 million, Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of between $110 million and $120 million, earnings per diluted share of between $1.91 and $2.21 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which excludes amortization of intangible assets, other non-cash purchase accounting expenses and equity securities investments gains or losses, of between $2.30 and $2.60.

The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including certain assumptions with respect to our ability to efficiently and on a timely basis integrate acquisitions, obtain and retain government contracts, changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, react to changes in the demand for our products and services, activities of competitors, changes in the regulatory environment, and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Investors are reminded that actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

CONFERENCE CALL AND PRESENTATION

In conjunction with this release, AeroVironment, Inc. will host a conference call today, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 4:30 pm Eastern Time that will be webcast live. Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Kevin P. McDonnell, chief financial officer and Jonah Teeter-Balin, senior director corporate development and investor relations, will host the call.

Investors may access the call by registering via the following participant registration link up to ten minutes prior to the start time.

Participant registration URL: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIf8cf27bdf83c46e38f1159f9e5d33d93

Investors may also listen to the live audio webcast via the Investor Relations page of the AeroVironment, Inc. website, http://investor.avinc.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software.

A supplementary investor presentation for the fourth quarter fiscal year 2023 can be accessed at https://investor.avinc.com/events-and-presentations.

Audio Replay

An audio replay of the event will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.avinc.com.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT, INC.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) provides technology solutions at the intersection of robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity that deliver more actionable intelligence so you can Proceed with Certainty. Headquartered in Virginia, AeroVironment is a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, and serves defense, government and commercial customers. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” or words or phrases with similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions into our operations and avoid disruptions from acquisition transactions that will harm our business; the recording of goodwill and other intangible assets as part of acquisitions that are subject to potential impairments in the future and any realization of such impairments; any disruptions or threatened disruptions to our relationships with our distributors, suppliers, customers and employees, including shortages in components for our products; the ability to timely and sufficiently integrate international operations into our ongoing business and compliance programs; reliance on sales to the U.S. government, including uncertainties in classification, pricing or potentially burdensome imposed terms for certain types of government contracts; availability of U.S. government funding for defense procurement and R&D programs; changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending; our reliance on limited relationships to fund our development of HAPS UAS; our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new contracts; risks related to our international business, including compliance with export control laws; potential need for changes in our long-term strategy in response to future developments; the extensive and increasing regulatory requirements governing our contracts with the U.S. government and international customers; the consequences to our financial position, business and reputation that could result from failing to comply with such regulatory requirements; unexpected technical and marketing difficulties inherent in major research and product development efforts; the impact of potential security and cyber threats or the risk of unauthorized access to our, our customers’ and/or our suppliers’ information and systems; changes in the supply and/or demand and/or prices for our products and services; increased competition; uncertainty in the customer adoption rate of commercial use unmanned aircraft systems; failure to remain a market innovator, to create new market opportunities or to expand into new markets; unexpected changes in significant operating expenses, including components and raw materials; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology into current products; unfavorable results in legal proceedings; our ability to respond and adapt to unexpected legal, regulatory and government budgetary changes, including those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemics, such as supply chain disruptions and delays, potential governmentally-mandated shutdowns, travel restrictions and site access, diversion of government resources to non-defense priorities, and other business restrictions affecting our ability to manufacture and sell our products and provide our services; our ability to comply with the covenants in our loan documents; our ability to attract and retain skilled employees; the impact of inflation; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world; and the failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise

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AeroVironment Awarded $64.6 Million Contract by U.S. Army for Switchblade 300 Loitering Missile Systems

Source: Business Wire
Contract includes first-time Switchblade system foreign military sales to two allied nations

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) received additional funding of $64,565,126 on March 24 from the U.S. Army Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) project office for the procurement of Switchblade® 300 loitering missile systems. This most recent firm-fixed-price contract increases the total funded amount of Switchblade systems under the original U.S. Army contract to $231,331,651. The contract will be managed by the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, and the systems are scheduled to be delivered by July 2024.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230426005397/en/

Combat-proven Switchblade, with patented wave-off and recommit capability, provides operators with increased lethality, reach and precision strike capabilities with minimal collateral effects. (Photo: AeroVironment, Inc.)
Combat-proven Switchblade, with patented wave-off and recommit capability, provides operators with increased lethality, reach and precision strike capabilities with minimal collateral effects. (Photo: AeroVironment, Inc.)

AeroVironment’s combat-proven Switchblade 300 loitering missile systems have been deployed by the U.S. Army for more than a decade and are currently providing real-time ISR and precision strike support on battlefields in Ukraine. Ideal for use against beyond-line-of-sight targets, Switchblade systems were approved by the U.S. government for use by Ukraine and additional nations after the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. This new U.S. Army contract includes foreign military sales of Switchblade 300 for the first time to France and another allied nation, expanding Switchblade’s footprint internationally.

“Switchblade 300 continues to be a critical weapon in the armed forces of Ukraine’s unmanned systems arsenal,” said Brett Hush, AeroVironment’s vice president and product line general manager for Tactical Missile Systems. “This new contract further demonstrates the global demand for production-ready, combat-proven Switchblade 300 missile systems. We’re honored that Switchblade 300 continues to support the U.S. military and our allies.”

The backpackable Switchblade 300 offers operators the flexibility to rapidly maneuver and employ the system on the ground. Real-time video, GPS coordinates, and wave-off capabilities provide the operator confidence in precisely attacking key targets.

This contract award follows an August 2022 contract modification for additional funding by the U.S. Army for procurement of Switchblade 300 loitering missile systems.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT, INC.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) provides technology solutions at the intersection of robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity that deliver more actionable intelligence so you can proceed with certainty. Headquartered in Virginia, AeroVironment is a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems and serves defense, government and commercial customers. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230426005397/en/

Ashley Riser
AeroVironment, Inc.
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Mark Boyer
For AeroVironment, Inc.
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AeroVironment Announces Fiscal 2023 Third Quarter Results

Source: Business Wire
AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today reported financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended January 28, 2023.

Third Quarter Highlights

Third quarter revenue of $134.4 million, up 49% year-over-year
Third quarter gross margin of $45.5 million, an increase of 112% year-over-year; gross margin percentage of 34% rose approximately 1,000 basis points
Third quarter net loss attributable to AeroVironment of $(0.7) million and non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of $23 million
Record funded backlog of $413.9 million as of January 28, 2023, an increase of 83% year-over-year
“This quarter once again demonstrated the ongoing robust strength of our business, with performance that met or exceeded our expectations,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Our performance, reflects strong, growing demand for our broad portfolio of innovative unmanned robotics solutions, with results particularly driven by the significant rise in orders for our advanced Puma and Switchblade systems. AeroVironment’s products and services are proving to be essential to Ukraine’s defense efforts, of which we’re very proud.

“This quarter’s performance sets the stage for a strong finish to fiscal 2023 – a transformational year for the Company – and we have modestly increased our top line guidance accordingly. We have also reduced our EPS guidance based on two non-cash impacts; accelerated depreciation tied to our Medium UAS business and greater than expected unrealized losses tied to our equity investments. We believe the Company is well positioned for even better results going forward, as we leverage our attractive, cutting-edge portfolio of products and services to drive continued double-digit organic top-line growth and solid bottom line results.”

FISCAL 2023 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was $134.4 million, an increase of 49% from the third quarter of fiscal 2022 revenue of $90.1 million. The increase in revenue reflects an increase in product sales of $48.6 million, partially offset by a decrease in service revenue of $4.3 million. The overall increase in revenue was primarily due to an increase in revenue in the Small UAS segment of $45.0 million and the Tactical Missile Systems (“TMS”) segment of $5.4 million, partially offset by a decrease in revenue in the Medium UAS segment of $5.8 million.

Gross margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was $45.5 million, an increase of 112% from the third quarter of fiscal 2022 gross margin of $21.4 million. The increase in gross margin reflects higher product margin of $23.0 million and higher service margin of $1.0 million. As a percentage of revenue, gross margin increased to 34% from 24%. The increase in gross margin percentage was primarily related to a favorable product mix and a decrease in non-cash purchase accounting related expenses. Gross margin was negatively impacted by $3.3 million of intangible amortization expense and other related non-cash purchase accounting expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 as compared to $5.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022.

Income from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was $4.6 million, an increase of $18.7 million from the third quarter of fiscal 2022 loss from operations of $14.1 million. The increase in income from operations was primarily the result of an increase in gross margin of $24.1 million, partially offset by an increase in research and development (“R&D”) expense of $3.1 million and an increase in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense of $2.2 million.

Other loss, net, for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was $5.4 million, as compared to $1.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2022. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in interest rates on the Company’s debt facility. Other loss, net for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 includes unrealized losses associated with decreases in the fair market value of equity security investments.

Benefit from income taxes for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was $0.5 million, as compared to a benefit from income taxes of $(15.4) million for the third quarter of fiscal 2022. The decrease in benefit from income taxes was primarily due to a change in estimate of the full year expected pre-tax loss during the prior year quarter.

Equity method investment loss, net of tax, for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was $(0.4) million, as compared to equity method investment income $0.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2022. Subsequent to the sale of the equity interest in HAPSMobile during the three months ended April 30, 2022, equity method investment loss, net of tax no longer includes activity from HAPSMobile.

Net loss attributable to AeroVironment for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was $0.7 million, or $(0.03) per diluted share, as compared to net income of $10 thousand, or $0 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2022, respectively.

Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of fiscal 2023 was approximately $23 million and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share was $0.33, as compared to approximately $6 million and $0.31, respectively, for the third quarter of fiscal 2022.

BACKLOG

As of January 28, 2023, funded backlog (defined as remaining performance obligations under firm orders for which funding is currently appropriated to the Company under a customer contract) was $413.9 million, as compared to $210.8 million as of April 30, 2022.

FISCAL 2023 — OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR

For the fiscal year 2023, the Company now expects revenue of between $510 million and $525 million, net income of between $0 and $5 million, Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of between $89 million and $95 million, earnings per diluted share of between $0.01 and $0.21 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which excludes amortization of intangible assets, other non-cash purchase accounting expenses and equity securities investments gains or losses, of between $1.13 and $1.33.

The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and including certain assumptions with respect to our ability to efficiently and on a timely basis integrate our acquisitions, obtain and retain government contracts, changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, changes in the demand for our products and services, activities of competitors, changes in the regulatory environment, and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Investors are reminded that actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

CONFERENCE CALL AND PRESENTATION

In conjunction with this release, AeroVironment, Inc. will host a conference call today, Monday, March 6, 2023, at 4:30 pm Eastern Time that will be webcast live. Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Kevin P. McDonnell, chief financial officer and Jonah Teeter-Balin, senior director corporate development and investor relations, will host the call.

New this quarter, investors may access the call by registering via the following participant registration link up to ten minutes prior to the start time.

Participant registration URL: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIac3afa4fd07640f5babfc44519728c67

Investors may also listen to the live audio webcast via the Investor Relations page of the AeroVironment, Inc. website, http://investor.avinc.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software.

A supplementary investor presentation for the third quarter fiscal year 2023 can be accessed at https://investor.avinc.com/events-and-presentations.

Audio Replay

An audio replay of the event will be archived on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.avinc.com.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT, INC.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) provides technology solutions at the intersection of robotics, sensors, software analytics and connectivity that deliver more actionable intelligence so you can Proceed with Certainty. Headquartered in Virginia, AeroVironment is a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, and serves defense, government and commercial customers. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” or words or phrases with similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions into our operations and avoid disruptions from acquisition transactions that will harm our business; any disruptions or threatened disruptions to our relationships with our distributors, suppliers, customers and employees, including shortages in components for our products; the ability to timely and sufficiently integrate international operations into our ongoing business and compliance programs; reliance on sales to the U.S. government, including uncertainties in classification, pricing or potentially burdensome imposed terms for certain types of government contracts; availability of U.S. government funding for defense procurement and R&D programs; changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending; our reliance on limited relationships to fund our development of HAPS UAS; our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new contracts; risks related to our international business, including compliance with export control laws; potential need for changes in our long-term strategy in response to future developments; the extensive regulatory requirements governing our contracts with the U.S. government and international customers; the consequences to our financial position, business and reputation that could result from failing to comply with such regulatory requirements; unexpected technical and marketing difficulties inherent in major research and product development efforts; the impact of potential security and cyber threats or the risk of unauthorized access to our, our customers’ and/or our suppliers’ information and systems; changes in the supply and/or demand and/or prices for our products and services; increased competition; uncertainty in the customer adoption rate of commercial use unmanned aircraft systems; failure to remain a market innovator, to create new market opportunities or to expand into new markets; unexpected changes in significant operating expenses, including components and raw materials; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology into current products; unfavorable results in legal proceedings; our ability to respond and adapt to unexpected legal, regulatory and government budgetary changes, including those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic or future pandemics, such as supply chain disruptions and delays, potential governmentally-mandated shutdowns, travel restrictions and site access, diversion of government resources to non-defense priorities, and other business restrictions affecting our ability to manufacture and sell our products and provide our services; our ability to comply with the covenants in our loan documents; our ability to attract and retain skilled employees; the impact of inflation; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world; and the failure to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

[Oleblue]

Anybody home?

[peterquinnvet]

7 Drone Stocks to Watch for 2022

''From the military to mining, drones are making industries around the world more high-tech and are poised to transform the package-delivery business.''

https://money.usnews.com/investing/stock-market-news/slideshows/drone-stocks-to-consider-as-the-technology-soars?slide=4

[Glider549]

Their Switchblade drone missile was featured on CNBC tonight.
Far less expensive than typical droans, can be carried in a backpack with a 10 kilometer range.
Looked very promising.

[SubPennyBoater]

Wow you were wrong

[Hitman970]

Bull flag break!!!!

[ADVFN_sidvicious]

T695 - Why did you think anything other than a complete beat on eps?

Smoked the consensus!

Go AVAV!

[ADVFN_sidvicious]

I do not like the sound of that... ugh

[T695]

$30’s coming

[ADVFN_sidvicious]

Earnings tomorrow

[ADVFN_sidvicious]

I see only 1 post on AVAV here this year.... fcf is positive and earnings next week... I am very optimistic.

[Pisd]

AVAV $$$... Took $67 today, drone maker, gl...

[r1aviator]

In with a starter

$AVAV

[jimmybob]

Monster mash

[mick]

http://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/AVAV

[T695]

Time to short again

[mick]

THANK YOU $AVAV

[mick]

http://www.stockscores.com/charts/charts/?ticker=AVAV

[T695]

Short

[T695]

Short

[T695]

Short

[T695]

Short.....

[T695]

Short

[ITMS]

This Leading Drone Maker Tanks After Earnings, Watch This Trade Level

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) is a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft and electronic vehicle charging and test systems for the U.S. and international governments. Today, the stock is trading lower by $6.74 to $43.76 a share after reporting earnings. Traders should note that today's decline puts the stock under the daily chart 200-day moving average. Should the stock close down here below this key moving average it could signal further downside to come for share price. The next important support level in play will be around the $38.75 area. This major support level is where the stock broke out in August 2017. Often, when a major breakout level is retested it will serve as an excellent bounce area for the stock.




Nicholas Santiago
InTheMoneyStocks

[mick]

http://www.barchart.com/detailedquote/stocks/AVAV