AV secures $46.6M contract with Italian Ministry of Defence for combat-proven JUMP 20 VTOL aircraft system

AeroVironment (AV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain autonomous systems, today announced it has been awarded a $46.6M contract by the Italian Ministry of Defence (MOD) for the delivery of its JUMP® 20 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) medium uncrewed aircraft system (MUAS). The five-year contract encompasses the procurement of JUMP 20 air vehicles, engineering services, initial sustainment and onsite technical support – ensuring rapid fielding and operational readiness from day one.

JUMP 20 is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), fixed-wing UAS with 30 pounds of payload capacity, 13+ hours of endurance and an operational range of 185 km (115 mi). Purpose-built for expeditionary operations, the system can be stored and transported with ease and autonomously launched and recovered without personnel intervention, making it ideal for dynamic on-the-move operations.

The selection follows a rigorous and highly competitive procurement process, where JUMP 20 distinguished itself for its ability to meet the Italian MOD’s stringent technical and operational requirements while replacing their existing Shadow UAS fleet with a modern, adaptable solution.

“We are honored to strengthen our partnership with the Italian Ministry of Defence through the delivery of the JUMP 20, a system that enhances their operational capabilities,” said Shane Hastings, AV’s vice president and general manager of Medium UAS. “This contract builds on our history of supporting NATO allies with world-class uncrewed systems that reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation and mission success reinforcing our reputation as a trusted partner our customers can rely on.”

The JUMP 20 delivers advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities with multi-payload flexibility and seamless interoperability across current and future systems. Built on a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), the platform enables rapid integration, easy upgrades, and unmatched adaptability to support a wide range of evolving mission demands.