AeroVironment (AVAV) COO Brad Truesdell to retire, stay on as consultant

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

AeroVironment, Inc. disclosed that Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Brad Truesdell intends to retire once a successor is appointed. He is expected to remain in his role as the company’s principal operating officer until his replacement is in place and responsibilities are transitioned.

The company has begun a search for a new principal operating officer. After his employment ends, Mr. Truesdell is expected to continue supporting AeroVironment as a consultant, providing transition and other services at the direction of the Chief Executive Officer and the new operating leader.

Insights

Corporate governance analyst

Planned COO retirement with structured transition and consulting support looks orderly.

AeroVironment announced that Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Brad Truesdell plans to retire once a successor is appointed. He will continue serving as principal operating officer until the new leader is in place, which supports operational continuity.

The company has started a search for a new principal operating officer, and Mr. Truesdell is expected to remain involved as a consultant afterward, assisting with transition and other services directed by senior leadership. This suggests a managed leadership change rather than an abrupt departure, though the long-term impact depends on the successor’s capabilities.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 12, 2026

AEROVIRONMENT, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		001-33261		95-2705790
(State or other jurisdiction of		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

241 18th Street South, Suite 650
Arlington, Virginia		22202
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (703) 418-2828

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value	AVAV	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On March 12, 2026, Brad Truesdell, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of AeroVironment Inc. (the “Company”), notified the Company of his intention to retire from his employment with the Company effective upon the appointment of his successor. It is expected the Mr. Truesdell will continue in his role, serving as the Company’s principal operating officer, until such time as his successor is in place and responsibilities have been transitioned. The Company is currently conducting a search for a new principal operating officer. After the cessation of his employment with the Company, Mr. Truesdell is expected to serve as a consultant to the Company to continue to provide transition and other services as directed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and successor principal operating officer.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)       Exhibits.

Exhibit Number		Description
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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SIGNATURE 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
Date: March 18, 2026	By:	/s/ Melissa Brown
		Melissa Brown
		Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer & Corporate Secretary

3

FAQ

What leadership change did AeroVironment (AVAV) disclose in this 8-K?

AeroVironment disclosed that Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Brad Truesdell intends to retire after his successor is appointed. He will remain in his role as principal operating officer until transition is complete and then is expected to serve as a consultant.

When will AeroVironment COO Brad Truesdell retire from the company?

Brad Truesdell plans to retire effective upon the appointment of his successor. Until that date, he is expected to continue serving as AeroVironment’s principal operating officer and support a transition period while the company conducts a search for a new operating leader.

Will Brad Truesdell stay involved with AeroVironment (AVAV) after his retirement?

Yes. After his employment ends, Brad Truesdell is expected to serve as a consultant to AeroVironment. He will provide transition and other services as directed by the company’s Chief Executive Officer and the successor principal operating officer, supporting continuity of operations.

What role is AeroVironment currently searching for following this leadership update?

AeroVironment is conducting a search for a new principal operating officer to succeed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Brad Truesdell. The new appointee will assume operating leadership once selected, at which point Truesdell’s retirement from employment will become effective.

Does the AeroVironment 8-K announce any financial results or transactions?

No. This 8-K focuses on a leadership transition involving Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Brad Truesdell. It describes his planned retirement, the search for a successor, and his expected consulting role, without disclosing new financial results or major transactions.

Who signed the AeroVironment (AVAV) 8-K related to the COO retirement?

The report was signed on behalf of AeroVironment by Melissa Brown. She is identified as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, and Corporate Secretary, indicating it is an authorized corporate disclosure regarding the planned retirement and transition of Brad Truesdell.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA 2.9 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE 33.4 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE 21.8 KB