Simi Valley / California / United States
AeroVironment was founded in 1971 by celebrated physicist and engineer Dr. Paul MacCready, who Time magazine has called one of the "greatest minds of the 20th century". For the following two decades, with the vision of "doing more with much less", the AV team pioneered a succession of groundbreaking vehicles including the Solar Challenger, the Sunraycer, and the General Motors Impact. These and 30 other "worlds first"; vehicles cemented AVs position as a premiere development facility for breakthrough vehicle systems. During the 1990s, the company expanded its focus from contract-based research and development to include the development of production products. In the next 10 years, AV developed a portfolio of highly efficient, innovative products with commercial and government applications, including the Charger bicycle, SODAR, the Universal Solar Pump Controller, and an extensive line of market-leading Power Processing Systems. AV targeted two of these pioneering products - a small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) named "Pointer," and a high-current electric vehicle charger called "PosiCharge" - for broad, commercial launch based on the products unique, market-changing capabilities and significant market potential. In 2001, after a period of rigorous research, market validation, and business planning, AV launched its small UAS and PosiCharge product lines. Lead customers included the U.S. Department of Defense, the Ford Motor Co. and American Airlines. Today, AVs UAS and PosiCharge product lines are leaders in their respective markets. Each offers a full spectrum of products, accessories, services, and systems integration, and each is directed by focused teams who are responsible for engineering, manufacturing, marketing, sales, business development, and global expansion. Small teams of soldiers use AVs small UAS to provide themselves with real-time situational awareness, which enhances their mission effectiveness. Large corporations use PosiCharge to increase their productivity and improve safety for rapid cost reduction.
