AV Expands Tomahawk Line with Future-Ready Grip TA5 Tactical Controller

The Grip TA5 was selected as the Dismounted Common Controller (DCC) as part of the $5.1M U.S. Army RCCTO Human-Machine Integrated Formations (HMIF) rapid prototyping project.

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in all-domain defense technologies, today unveiled its Tomahawk Grip TA5. The Grip TA5 is an 8-inch tactical controller designed to deliver enhanced situational awareness, precision strike capabilities, and seamless scalability across mission sets for today’s modern warfighter.

The Grip TA5 provides a scalable, certified, future-ready controller for multi-mission operations. [Credit: AV]

Built to integrate with the military-grade Samsung Tab Active5 Tactical Edition, the Grip TA5 turns off-the-shelf tablets into mobile command centers. Its modular architecture and multi-platform compatibility offers operators command and control of multiple robotic assets in real time—enhancing mission adaptability and response speed. The system enables intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, target acquisition and tracking, situational command and control (C2), and fire control functions—enabling direct operation of lethal payloads, loitering munitions, and direct-fire weapons. At just 2.5 pounds, the compact, rugged controller meets MIL-STD-810 and adds enhanced software security, advanced networking, and hot-swapping flexibility—positioning AV as the permanent control layer regardless of the underlying device model.

“Our ability to deliver effective, next-generation solutions at mission scale and speed positions AV as a top developer and manufacturer in the defense industry,” said Trace Stevenson, President of Autonomous Systems for AV. “The Grip TA5 is more than a controller. It’s a force multiplier that brings speed, interoperability, and future-ready capabilities to the modern warfighter.”

In May, AV announced that its Tomahawk Ground Control Station (GCS) product line was awarded a $5.1 million contract by the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) in support of the Human-Machine Integrated Formations (HMIF) rapid prototyping project. The Grip TA5 was officially selected as the Dismounted Common Controller (DCC) to advance human-machine teaming and strengthen battlefield command and control.

AV previously developed and delivered multiple iterations of prototypes based on the previous Samsung Tab Active3 as part of the United States Marine Corps’ Force Design 2030. The Grip TA5 leverages lessons learned from this work, adding the interoperability and multi-mission capabilities needed to meet requirements for the U.S. Army’s Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordinance (LASSO), Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR), and Launched Effects (LE) programs while still maintaining operability with USMC programs, like Marine Air-Ground Tablet (MAGTAB).

The Grip TA5 expands AV’s Tomahawk Ground Control Station product line, which also includes the Grip S20 designed around the Samsung Galaxy S20 Tactical Edition smart phone. Responding to operator feedback for larger screen sizes, the Grip TA5 offers a ruggedized and streamlined, cost-effective solution with an expandable port for dual 8-inch displays to boost visibility and efficiency. The controller will begin shipping as a standard catalog configuration or as an alternative option with AV platforms starting in late 2025.

“Developed for warfighters from warfighter feedback, the Grip TA5 highlights our focus on rapidly turning feedback into real, fielded innovation,” said John Bolen, AV’s Tomahawk GCS Product Line Manager. “By expanding screen size, enhancing networking, and offering scalability across clients, vehicles, and operations, we are giving soldiers a tactical edge on the battlefield.”

About AeroVironment, Inc.

AV (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The company develops and deploys autonomous systems, precision strike systems, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities—built to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and tomorrow’s conflicts. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities with speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new ones; regulatory changes; competitor activities; market growth; product development challenges; and general economic conditions. For a more detailed discussion of these risks, please refer to AeroVironment’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events.

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Source: AeroVironment, Inc.