AeroVironment Secures $46.6M Deal with Italy for Groundbreaking JUMP 20 VTOL UAS
AeroVironment (AV) has obtained a $46.6 million agreement from the Italian Ministry of Defence for the provision of its battlefield-proven JUMP 20 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) medium uncrewed aircraft system (MUAS).
The five-year agreement encompasses the supply of JUMP 20 aerial vehicles, engineering assistance, initial maintenance, and on-site technical support—ensuring operational capability from day one. This contract will allow the Italian military to modernize its aging Shadow UAS fleet with a contemporary, modular solution.
The JUMP 20 is a fixed-wing VTOL UAS boasting a 30-pound payload capacity, exceeding 13 hours of flight time, and a range of up to 185 kilometers. Designed for expeditionary ISR operations, it features autonomous launch and recovery, reducing crew responsibilities.
“This agreement reinforces our enduring collaboration with NATO allies and underscores JUMP 20’s adaptability in operations,” stated Shane Hastings, VP and GM of Medium UAS at AeroVironment.
JUMP 20 is constructed utilizing a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), guaranteeing adaptability for upgrades, integration, and multi-payload interoperability across advancing systems.
