aerovironment

AeroVironment, Inc., also known as AV, is an American defense technology company headquartered in Arlington, Virginia that designs and manufactures autonomous systems, counter-UAS systems, and space systems. The company was founded in 1971 by Paul B. MacCready Jr., a designer of human-powered aircraft. The company provides the US Department of Defense and foreign militaries with small and medium-sized drones—notably the Raven, Switchblade, Wasp, and Puma. Through its acquisition of BlueHalo in 2025, the company provides directed energy and space communications systems to U.S. and foreign militaries.

On January 7, 2024, AeroVironment was sanctioned by the Chinese government due to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan. On March 4, 2025, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce placed 15 U.S. entities (including AeroVironment) on its export control list, barring the export of dual-use commodities to that business.