JUMP 20 medium UAS to supplement Special Ops ISR services
NewsJuly 14, 2021
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. AeroVironment, Inc. has announced it won a competitive task order valued at approximately $22 million from the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for intelligence, surveillance, and reconaissance (ISR) services using JUMP 20 medium unmanned aircraft systems (MEUAS) at an undisclosed customer location.
According to the company, the ISR services include the first satellite communications (SATCOM)-enabled unmanned aerial system (UAS) for beyond line of sight operations as part of the existing Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity MEUAS IV contract. The task order specifies a 12-month period of performance and multiple follow-on option years for ISR services.
Officials claim that the AeroVironment JUMP 20 is the first fixed-wing UAS capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) to be deployed in support of U.S. military forces. Ideal for multi-mission operations, JUMP 20 is designed to be runway independent.
The JUMP 20 is also engineered with a common autopilot and ground control system architecture intended to provide a customizable, modular platform which can be custom-configured to meet operational or customer requirements.
