Huntsville-linked firm gets $117 million to deliver 82 Army surveillance drones in 2 months
Delivery is within two months, or by July 23, 2026.
Mason Reed 
Global defense firm AeroVironment Inc. has secured a massive $117 million contract to supply the U.S. Army with 82 new surveillance drones. The company, which maintains a significant footprint in the Rocket City, is tasked with a rapid turnaround, with the full order expected to be delivered by July 23, 2026.
Supporting Frontline Operations
According to a Wednesday notice from the Defense Department, these P550 drones are critical assets for battalion commanders and soldiers. They will be utilized for high-stakes operations, including target spotting, reconnaissance, and general surveillance. AeroVironment beat out 10 other competitors to win the contract.
Advanced Technology
The P550 drone is designed for complex flight maneuvers driven by artificial intelligence. Built for efficiency, the system features an all-electric propulsion setup and a battery life exceeding five hours. The design prioritizes ease of maintenance in the field, allowing soldiers to swap out batteries in minutes without the need for specialized tools.
Growing Huntsville Presence
AeroVironment continues to deepen its roots in North Alabama. In May, the company announced a $20 million government investment to expand its Huntsville facility by 24,000 square feet, a move expected to bring new jobs to the region while accelerating the production of counter-drone systems.
This follows another major win for the area; as previously reported by 205focus.com, a $97 million Pentagon contract was awarded in March for the design and integration of prototype test environments for missile defense sensor testing at Redstone Arsenal.
