AeroVironment, Inc., a leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for both defense and commercial applications, tactical missile systems and electric vehicle charging and test systems that serves militaries, government agencies, businesses and consumers worldwide, today announced that the company has earned ISO 9001:2015 + AS9100D certification for its Quality Management System.

ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognized quality management standard developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that provides a model companies of all types and sizes can use to build an effective quality management system. The standard is based on several quality management principles, including a strong customer focus, involvement of high-level company management, a process approach and ongoing improvement of the process.

The AS9100 standard supplements the ISO 9001 requirements with conditions needed for work with the United States Department of Defense (DoD), NASA and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). AS9100D certification, which is recognized internationally as the Quality Management System standard for manufacturers, contractors and suppliers to the aviation, space and defense industries, is based on a standard published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for the design, manufacture, production, assembly and test of aerospace-related products. Companies that achieve AS9100D certification have proven their quality processes and continuous improvement methodologies meet the highest industry standards.

"Earning ISO 9001:2015 + AS9100D certification was a rigorous and thorough process, requiring the engagement of our entire organization. This achievement represents strong, third-party validation of AeroVironment's longstanding, unshakeable commitment to providing the highest quality products and services to our customers across all of our business segments," said Wahid Nawabi, president and chief executive officer of AeroVironment. "Adoption of these protocols within our Business Management System further ensures that our customers receive consistent, excellent quality products and services as well as continued quality improvement, increased operational efficiency and enhanced accountability.

"This accomplishment builds on another important third-party performance honor we received recently when AeroVironment was named to the Army's 2017 Superior Supplier Incentive Program (SSIP) list as a 'Tier 1' business," Nawabi added. SSIP provides a means for the Army to understand which contracts and programs are consistently attaining superior performance levels. The program also incentivizes contractor performance by highlighting areas where companies are doing well and can improve. Tier 1 is the best of three SSIP performance levels the Army uses to designate top-performing industry partners.

AeroVironment's ISO 9001:2015 + AS9100D certificate (# CERT-0103461), which became effective March 13, 2018, was issued by SAI Global, a leading global management systems Certification Body. The scope of AeroVironment's certification includes design, development, production, support and operational performance in its UAS, Tactical Missile Systems, electric vehicle (EV) charging systems, and power cycling and test systems business units that serve national and international customers.

Maintaining certification will require rigorous and comprehensive audits by the internal team and validation by a third-party certifying body to ensure compliance with the standard.

"We're proud to add the SAI Global StandardsMark logo to our products and marketing materials as a symbol of our demonstrated and ongoing commitment to reliability, quality assurance and safety," said Nawabi.