Key Takeaways
- AeroVironment has secured a contract to supply two BADGER phased array systems for the U.S. Space Force’s SCAR program.
- The company is enhancing production capabilities to meet operational demands and ensure timely delivery.
- Development milestones for SCAR are nearing completion, with initial units set for upcoming delivery and deployment in early 2026.
New Development in Satellite Technology
AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) has announced a firm-fixed-price contract awarded by the U.S. Space Force Space Rapid Capabilities Office. This contract entails the delivery of two BADGER phased array antenna systems as part of the Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource (SCAR) program. This marks the first exercised option under the SCAR Other Transaction Agreement, designed to enhance system performance, deployment speed, and resilience.
To boost production capacity, AeroVironment has forged stronger partnerships with suppliers and expanded its manufacturing framework. These strategic moves aim to stabilize costs, mitigate scheduling risks, and ensure that the supply chain for BADGER systems can meet both current and future demands of the SCAR program. The framework is expected to accelerate delivery timelines in alignment with operational requirements.
Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and CEO of AeroVironment, emphasized the company’s commitment to national security priorities, stating, “We are delivering unmatched technological superiority to usher in a new era of advanced satellite command and control.” He highlighted that AeroVironment is scaling its production to keep pace with the operational tempo demanded by the Space Force.
Development milestones for the SCAR program are nearing completion, with the first BADGER unit set to be delivered in the coming months and additional units expected to be deployed overseas by early 2026. AeroVironment has already successfully delivered the Mission Support Container, which contains the electronics and software for the BADGER units, ahead of schedule this summer, and it is now prepared for integration testing.
Mary Clum, Executive Vice President for AeroVironment’s Space and Directed Energy Group, expressed confidence in the company’s readiness, stating, “BADGER is ready. SCAR is coming,” highlighting the unit’s comprehensive capabilities in satellite tracking, telemetry, and control.
Dr. Kelly Hammett, Director of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, described SCAR as a revolutionary system that addresses challenges in the contested and congested space environment. He commended AeroVironment’s technical progress and investments in the supply chain, underscoring the critical role of government-industry collaboration in achieving strategic objectives.
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