August 20, 2025 – Arlington, Virginia (USA) – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) announced the initial delivery of its Class 2 P550 eVTOL unmanned aerial systems to the U.S. Army under the Long-Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program.
The equipment will be used in training and operations of the Transformation in Contact (TiC) brigades.
The delivery includes multiple P550 systems, along with training for new operators and instructors, ensuring full integration and operational readiness of the designated units.
Milestone for a new generation of drones
The P550 represents a significant advancement for both the Army and AV’s product line. Developed under the MOSA (Modular Open Systems Approach) philosophy, the system allows rapid adaptation in dynamic and contested environments, with different payload, radio, and power options.
“We are proud to deliver the P550 to Army units, providing warfighters with a reliable and flexible platform capable of quickly adapting to ever-changing combat scenarios,” said Trace Stevenson, President of AeroVironment’s Autonomous Systems division.
Technical capabilities
The P550 is the company’s newest Group 2 autonomous eVTOL system, designed for:
- Rapid battlefield deployment
- Enhanced situational awareness
- Target designation and strike capability
- AI-enabled autonomy for safer, smarter operations
Key highlights include a payload capacity of up to 6.8 kg, endurance of up to 5 hours on electric batteries, and a maximum takeoff weight of 25 kg. In addition, it can be reconfigured in under five minutes without tools, including quick battery and sensor swaps.
With an open and scalable architecture, the system is designed for continuous upgrades, keeping pace with technological advancements at low cost and risk.
Training and next steps
The first deliveries were accompanied by intensive training provided by AV representatives, enabling master instructors to prepare operators and maintainers in the TiC brigades.
The company confirmed it will continue fulfilling additional orders as the operational needs of the U.S. Army evolve.
+ UTS Freedom Trainer: new contender for the future U.S. Naval Aviation training jet
+ Plus-size model with lipedema reveals difficulties when flying
Source and images: AeroVironment. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
