One of the world’s leading UAS suppliers AeroVironment Inc. successfully carried out a demonstration of Puma-Switchblade automated sensor-to-shooter (S2S) capability aboard a U.S. Navy Coastal Riverine Craft on April 9.

The sensor solution helps commanders identify threats¨from fast-moving surface vessels at long ranges, reduces the Switchblade operator’s workload and limits collateral damage, said Rick Pedigo, vice president of AeroVironment’s Tactical Missile Systems business.

The current S2S is a prototype of the product to be released this fall. The company envisions future enhancements to include a multi-pack launcher that holds up to six Switchblade munitions and software that allows operators to control multiple air vehicles simultaneously.

AeroVironment will be showcasing its technologies at AUVSI XPONENTIAL, May 1-3 in Denver, Colorado, at  booth #3015.

For information on AUVSI XPONENTIAL, check out the Inside GNSS/Inside Unmanned Systems’ Official Show Navigator here.

By Jinman Li, Inside Unmanned Systems Correspondent