AeroVironment, Inc. has delivered M1/M2/M5-compatible Raven and Puma All Environment (AE) UAS to two DoD customers.

The company has also announced that in December, it will begin taking orders for M1/M2/M5-configured Wasp AE micro air vehicles (MAV), for delivery next spring.

“Integrating the new M1/M2/M5 radio frequencies into our family of small UAS gives our customers the ability to seamlessly and securely conform to the Department of Defense‘s new frequency spectrum allocation and proceed with certainty,” says David Sharpin, vice president of AeroVironment’s Tactical UAS Business Unit.

“By combining all three frequency bands in the same transceiver module, we’ve made it easy for users to select the frequency band associated with the part of the world in which they are operating without having to swap any hardware.”

AeroVironment has also unveiled its new Pocket Digital Data Link (DDL) AE, which is a “rugged, all- environment, next generation, secure digital video and data receiver that also integrates the new M1/M2/M5 radio frequency spectrum.”

Described as “significantly more rugged than its predecessor” thanks to its all-environment design, the new Pocket DDL AE offers a fully waterproof package—immersible to three feet—which supports tactical operations in a variety of environmental conditions and difficult urban terrain.

The Pocket DDL AE, which is designed for “simplicity and ease of use,” facilitates quick and secure access to a small UAS DDL network. Each sleek unit is completely controlled using an app, and there are no exterior buttons or displays on a unit.

Thanks to a standard Glenair Mighty-Mouse connector, the Pocket DDL AE is compatible with the Army’s Net Warrior system, making dedicated cables for Pocket DDL unnecessary. It is operational from any power supply, as it provides between 5 and 32 volts DC.

Pocket DDL AE implements an open-systems architecture, “using a USB interface and XML messaging for control of the radio functions.” This allows apps designed for special purposes, such as tactical operations, search and rescue and long- range communications, to use Pocket DDL AE to “employ small UAS to help perform their tasks more effectively.”

“Combined with the M1/M2/M5 upgrade to our Pocket DDL AE, this provides greatly enhanced capability across our entire family of small UAS product line for improved tactical operations,” Sharpin says.

“This example demonstrates our ongoing commitment to upgrade our Family of Systems products and provide new capabilities to our existing and new customers around the world.”