AV Awarded New Firm‑Fixed‑Price Option for Two BADGER Phased Array Systems, Strengthens Production Framework for SCAR Program

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 19, 2025--

AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leading provider of advanced space and ground-based satellite communication technologies, is proud to announce a new firm‑fixed‑price (FFP) contract option with the U.S. Space Force Space Rapid Capabilities Office for the delivery of two BADGER phased array antenna systems to support the Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource (SCAR) program.

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This award represents the first FFP option being executed against the SCAR Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) to enhance the system performance and operational readiness to aid in swift deployment and operational resilience. Future production options remain open for additional SCAR systems.

To meet the increasing demand signal and reinforce production pipelines for BADGER, AV has expanded manufacturing agreements with several key suppliers. This new framework strengthens the BADGER supply chain and ensures current and future orders for the SCAR program are backed by a robust, scalable production infrastructure—accelerating delivery timelines to meet operational demands. These steps will help drive cost and schedule uncertainty out of the program while delivering operational capability to the Space Force.

“We are delivering unmatched technological superiority to usher in a new era of advanced satellite command and control,” said Wahid Nawabi, AV Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “With confidence in the technology and a steadfast commitment to delivering this critical national security priority, our team is scaling BADGER production to match the operational tempo demanded by the Space Force.”

Most key development milestones for the SCAR program have already been completed. AV will deliver the first BADGER unit to the Space Force in the coming months, with more units nearing completion for delivery in early 2026 to support full-scale overseas deployment. The first system’s Mission Support Container, including electronics and software that control the BADGER units, was delivered this summer–ahead of schedule–and is ready for final integration testing.

“The urgent demand for SCAR is backed by a universal recognition of the expansive satellite tracking, telemetry, and control capabilities it will soon deliver to the Space Force,” said Mary Clum, Executive Vice President for AV’s Space and Directed Energy Group. “We understand. With the technology ready to scale, we have accelerated production and strengthened our supply chain to meet the demand. BADGER is ready. SCAR is coming.”

“The SCAR program is a system of systems that is both a revolutionary leap for satellite command and control and an urgent need to keep pace with the rapidly evolving, contested, congested space domain,” said Dr. Kelly Hammett, Director of the U.S. Space Force Space Rapid Capabilities Office. “We applaud the technical achievements of the AV team that have enabled this transformative moment for satellite communications along with their investments in automation, supply chain, and manufacturing that will serve to stabilize costs and increase scale long-term. When industry and government work together to tackle the toughest challenges, we can accomplish big things–and SCAR is certainly a testament to that strength.”

About AV

AV (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities—built to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and tomorrow’s conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo, a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Each BADGER system contains 160 Multi-band/beam Software Defined Antenna (MSDA) tiles. AV has partnered with key suppliers to begin high-rate production of these tiles to support the remaining SCAR units and future BADGER production. The initial dedicated production lines for the tiles are now online and ramping up to meet capacity demands. [Credit: Celestica]

Initial BADGER units for the U.S. Space Force SCAR program near completion in AV’s Albuquerque manufacturing facility. [Credit: AV]

ST. MORITZ, Switzerland (AP) — Lindsey Vonn nearly did it again.

The 41-year-old American finished second in a World Cup downhill on Saturday, a day after becoming the oldest winner in the circuit’s history.

After winning the season’s opening downhill by nearly a full second on Friday, Vonn was beaten by only one racer this time: Emma Aicher of Germany was 0.24 seconds faster.

Vonn attributed a mistake landing a jump midway down her run for the gap, when she nearly lost her balance for an instant and leaned heavily on her left leg to raise herself back up.

“I’m a little bit tired from yesterday, there was a lot of emotion," Vonn told Swiss broadcaster RTS. "I thought I skied pretty well on top then I was just out of balance, I fell on my hip. Yeah, didn’t ski the bottom the way I wanted to.”

Sofia Goggia, the 2018 Olympic champion from Italy, finished third, 0.29 behind, and Breezy Johnson, the American world champion, was fourth, 0.40 back.

Vonn, who is preparing for the Milan Cortina Olympics, went into first position with her run down the sun-drenched Corviglia course. But the 22-year-old Aicher came down next and quickly pushed Vonn out of the leader’s seat.

Vonn returned to skiing last season after nearly six years of retirement — following a partial replacement surgery on her right knee, which included inserting two pieces of titanium.

Vonn’s results are shaping up to make her a top medal contender at the Olympics — and able to compete with skiers half her age. Women’s Alpine skiing at the Feb. 6-22 Winter Games will be contested at Cortina d’Ampezzo, where Vonn holds the record of 12 World Cup wins.

Vonn registered the top speed of 102.45 kph (64 mph) on the top section; increased her speed to 110.02 kph (68 mph) on the bottom and flew a massive 41 meters (yards) off a jump toward the end of her run

Vonn also clocked the fastest time in the final sector — a sign of her increased fitness this season. She said earlier this week that she added 12 pounds (5.5 kilograms) of muscle during dry-land training over the summer and followed a rigid diet.

When Vonn crossed the finish line and saw that she was ahead of Goggia, Vonn celebrated thinking that she had won. She let out a scream, punched the air with one of her poles and then raised her arms over her head, shaking her head in apparent disbelief.

It was Vonn’s 140th podium result and it came in a record-breaking 410th World Cup race. Former Austrian skier Renate Götschl held the previous record with 409 races.

It was Aicher’s third World Cup victory and second in downhill. She’s a rare all-around skier capable of being competitive in all four disciplines — like Vonn at the height of her career.

Aicher also finished on the podium in a slalom this season, placing third in Levi, Finland.

“I’m a little bit surprised, because I haven’t skied speed in a while,” Aicher said. “I’m really happy with how I could keep the skiing from the end of last year, and just managed to build on that.”

Vonn could aim for another victory in a super-G in St. Moritz on Sunday — in a race that fellow American standout Mikaela Shiffrin is also expected to compete in.

Shiffrin has not been racing downhill.

AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

United States' Lindsey Vonn sprays sparkling wine as she celebrates after finishing second in a alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Luciano Bisi)

United States' Lindsey Vonn, right, talks to Aksel Lund Svindal as she inspects the course ahead of an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Germany's Emma Aicher reacts in the finish area after completing an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Luciano Bisi)

United States' Lindsey Vonn gets to the finish area after completing an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Luciano Bisi)

United States' Lindsey Vonn reacts in the finish area after completing an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Luciano Bisi)

United States' Lindsey Vonn speeds down the course during an alpine ski, women's World Cup downhill, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Saturday Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)