AeroVironment, Monrovia, Calif., was awarded a contract from the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for up to $200 million to provide its Puma AE as its All Environment Capable Variant (AECV) solution to the Small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) requirement. This one-year contract, with four one-year options, includes the purchase of aircraft, ground control systems, spares, repairs and training. The initial delivery order is valued at $6 million. AV said the hand-launched Puma AE lands near-vertically on both land and water and is equipped with a day- and night-capable, waterproof sensor package. For related news