AV Receives MQ-31A Designation from Italian Ministry of Defence (MoD)

Key Terms

unmanned aircraft system technical

An unmanned aircraft system is a complete drone setup: the aircraft itself plus the ground controls, software, communications links and any support equipment needed to operate it—think of a remote‑controlled airplane combined with its pilot station and tools. Investors care because these systems create revenue and risk across industries (defense, delivery, agriculture, inspection), so changes in technology, regulations, safety record or production costs can quickly affect companies’ sales, liabilities and long‑term growth prospects.

uas technical

UAS stands for Unmanned Aircraft System, the complete setup that lets a remotely piloted aircraft (commonly called a drone) fly safely — including the aircraft itself, the ground controller, communications links and supporting equipment. Investors watch UAS because rules, technology and demand for tasks like surveying, delivery or aerial inspection directly affect companies’ sales and regulatory costs; think of it as a vehicle plus its keys, radio and support crew that together determine whether it can operate profitably.

vtol technical

VTOL stands for vertical take-off and landing and describes aircraft that can lift off and land straight up and down instead of needing a runway, like a helicopter combined with an airplane. Investors care because VTOL designs open new markets for short-range transport, air taxis, cargo delivery and defense applications, and they bring specific technical, regulatory and manufacturing risks and costs that can affect a company’s revenue potential and timeline for profits.

isr technical

ISR stands for socially responsible investing (from the French phrase Investissement Socialement Responsable) and means choosing stocks, bonds or funds based on environmental, social and governance criteria in addition to financial return. Like picking a brand that matches your values, ISR matters to investors because it helps align portfolios with personal or institutional priorities, can reduce exposure to companies with regulatory or reputational risks, and can influence demand and valuation for firms deemed more sustainable.

open system architecture technical

Open system architecture is a design approach for software or hardware that uses common interfaces so different vendors’ parts can plug together like LEGO bricks. Investors care because it reduces reliance on a single supplier, makes upgrades and add‑ons cheaper and faster, and often accelerates product improvement and market adoption; that flexibility can lower operational risk and support revenue growth or cost savings over time.

conops technical

A concept of operations (ConOps) is a plain‑language description of how a product, system or program is intended to be used and managed in everyday practice, outlining who does what, when and why—like a playbook for operations. For investors, a ConOps clarifies whether a company’s plans are practical, scalable and likely to meet performance or regulatory goals, helping assess execution risk and the chances that a project will deliver promised results.

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ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The MQ-31A designation confirms that the Italian Ministry of Defence now recognizes JUMP 20 as an official military capability.

“This designation validates that JUMP 20 meets the standards of a modern European military and underscores the system’s ability to deliver actionable intelligence and persistent overwatch in highly contested environments,” said Shane Hastings, Vice President and General Manager, Medium Unmanned Aircraft Systems at AV. “It also signals that Italy is treating JUMP 20 as an integrated element of its formal military inventory, rather than a limited trial or off-the-shelf experiment.”

The MQ-31A designation is the next step following AV’s April 2025 contract to deliver JUMP 20 VTOL aircraft systems, sustainment, engineering, and support, replacing Italy’s legacy unmanned ISR fleet while enhancing NATO interoperability, expeditionary operations, and operational readiness.

The JUMP 20 was selected over multiple bidders through a competitive procurement process and continues to grow in popularity among NATO forces in Europe.

“Across Europe, JUMP 20 continues to gain traction with allied forces, including Italy, Denmark, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic, reinforcing its position as a trusted and rapidly adopted medium UAS platform,” said Hastings.

Designed for simplicity and adaptability, JUMP 20 is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), fixed-wing unmanned aircraft system with more than 13 hours of endurance and an operational range of 185 km (115 mi). Runway-independent, the system is built for rapid, safe deployment, launching and landing autonomously without the need for personnel intervention. Its rugged, easily transportable design makes it ideal for dynamic, on-the-move operations. The system offers best-in-class open system architecture, with more than 70 integrated payloads and over 500,000 flight hours in operational environments.

Engineered with a 30-pound modular payload capacity, JUMP 20 easily adapts to evolving concepts of operations (CONOPS) and multi-domain mission demands. Its modular design ensures seamless integration of next-generation sensors, communication tools and advanced autonomy, helping Italian forces maintain an edge in UAS battlefield innovation.

About AV

AeroVironment (“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, loitering munitions, 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. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo™, a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at 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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260713103864/en/

Media Contact:
BJ Koubaroulis
pr@avinc.com
703.718.4060

Investor Contact:
Denise Pacioni
ir@avinc.com
805.795.4108

Source: AeroVironment, Inc.