AeroVironment, a publicly-traded manufacturer of drone and missile technologies, is developing new drone tech at Spaceport America after dropping millions of dollars on facilities. And there may be more investment to come.
The company will conduct flight testoperations for research and development, in addition to training and demonstrations at the Spaceport for the JUMP 20 drone. Its vertical-launch JUMP drone can fly for 14 hours with a 115-mile flight range and carry payloads as heavy as 30 pounds, according to AeroVironment's website.
AeroVironment is also bringing operations for another type of drone, called tactical unmanned aircraft systems, to the Spaceport.
In addition to its current leased space at at the Spaceport, AeroVironment "is looking to add permanent infrastructure" at an area designated for vertical launches for long-term training and testing, according to an Oct. 7 release from the Spaceport.
AeroVironment instructors will teach drone safety, maintenance, operations and other related topics. Last year, the company, along with SoftBank, spent a combined $8 million to develop a hangar, office facilities and an airstrip, the release said. Together, the two organizations are building a company called HAPS Mobile,which is developing a solar-powered aircraft that would provide internet connectivity to areas with little or no access.
In September 2020, the fifth test flight for the HAPS Mobile glider was conducted and was the first "LTE connectivity event" from the stratosphere, according to an AeroVironment investor presentation. The company began operating at the Spaceport in May 2020.
“Spaceport America is an ideal location for testing and training of the JUMP 20 and [tactical unmanned aircraft systems] vehicles due to the abundant special use airspace and cooperative business arrangements that exist between Spaceport America and AeroVironment,” Gorik Hossepian, AeroVironment vice president, said in a statement.
Virgin Galactic, UP Aerospace and SpinLaunch are the other Spaceport America tenants.
