According to the information released by the US Government, the California-based Aerovironment Inc. company concluded a contract, the aim of which is to acquire small RQ-11B Raven UAV systems for Ukraine. The agreement, the value of which reaches USD 9.049 million, is being a part of the Foreign Military Sales programme. The contract is going to be realized on 11th May 2016.

RQ-11B Raven is being used by more than 30 armies all around the world, including the US Army. US Army has ca. 2000 drones of this type at its disposal. The Americans had announced the deliveries of the Raven UAV systems for the Ukrainians earlier, within the framework of military assistance programme, thus the procurement is probably going to be financed by the US government.

The RQ-11B Raven UAV weighs only 2 kilograms, it may be transported in a backpack container. The drone takes-off from the hand of the operator. Its flight-endurance reaches 80 minutes and the system may operate within the altitude range between 30 and 150 m, providing the visual transmission in real time for the operator. The drone may also act as a flying laser target designator. RQ-11B is being controlled by a two-man crew.

A few weeks ago, identical systems were acquired by the Spanish forces.