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AeroVironment to Supply Italy With JUMP 20 VTOL Drones for ISR Operations

Shane Hastings in a dark suit and light blue shirt, smiling in a professional headshot against a neutral background.

U.S. multidomain autonomous systems company AeroVironment has secured a five-year, $46.6 million contract from Italy’s Ministry of Defence to deliver JUMP 20 vertical takeoff and landing medium uncrewed aircraft systems, The UAS will replace the nation’s fleet of Shadow tactical drones. The deal also covers the acquisition of engineering services, initial sustainment and on-site technical support.

“This contract builds on our history of supporting NATO allies with world-class uncrewed systems that reflect our unwavering commitment to innovation and mission success, reinforcing our reputation as a trusted partner our customers can rely on,” said Shane Hastings, vice president and general manager of medium UAS at AeroVironment.

The JUMP 20 VTOL aircraft is designed for advanced multi-sensor intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services. It offers over 13 hours of endurance and an operational range of 185 kilometers. The design is made with expeditionary operations in mind, allowing it to be transported easily and autonomously launched.

With the order, Italy joins a group of nations that use the AeroVironment aircraft for ISR operations. In February, Denmark placed a $181 million order for the JUMP 20 VTOL, part of a government initiative to improve the Royal Danish Army’s defense capabilities.

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