AeroVironment Inc. (AV), is a producer of energy efficient electric systems. For example it has carried out major projects for the US Military including unmanned solar powered aircraft that stay aloft for long periods. In 1998 AV began working under contract to NASA to produce a fuel cell system for Helios, the 247-foot wingspan solar-powered airplane. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system would enable Helios to fly for six months continuously. As a result of the NASA work, AV acquired expertise designing the balance-of-plant, testing a large variety of fuel cell stacks, and performing system integration.
Source AeroVironment
AV developed a state-of-the-art fuel cell monitoring system that includes proprietary software and incorporates proprietary Fuel Cell SmartGuards and BSC system. Fuel Cell SmartGuard is a 20-channel module that, when coupled with BSC, monitors voltage and temperature of each cell. Multiple SmartGuard modules are used to monitor large stacks. The energy storage system for Helios uses the sun to power a PEM electrolyzer that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen gases are stored in AV designed, lightweight high-pressure tanks. At night, the PEM fuel cell combines the hydrogen and oxygen to provide power for the aircraft propulsion, avionics and payloads.
Source AeroVironment
AV's trailer-mounted Deployable Renewable Energy Alternative Module (DREAM) is designed to provide off-grid electric power from multiple sources. DREAM incorporates three 1-kilowatt wind turbines, a battery pack yielding 3 kilowatts per hour, a diesel generator, and 63 solar cells. With all systems in operation, DREAM can provide 3 kilowatts of continuous power for 15 days.
AeroVironment completed fiscal year 2009 with record quarterly revenue, achieving 15 per cent year over year revenue growth, and a 13 per cent operating margin, with record cash and investments, according to a company statement that has just been issued.
Revenue for fiscal year 2009 was $247.7m, marking an increase of 15 per cent over 2008's revenue of $215.7m. The increase is attributed to increased sales in its unmanned aircraft segment of $24.8m, and its efficient electric energy systems segment of $7.2m.
"This performance reflects strength in our customers' continued demand for our market-leading solutions and our team's sustained execution,' said Tim Conver, chairman and CEO of AV. 'Our development programmes and electric vehicle solutions, all moved forward in meaningful ways, positioning us well for delivering more, important solutions to our customers and for long term growth.' With respect to the global economic downturn, Conver cited the US government's commitments to both defence activities, and electric vehicle infrastructure throughout the country as positive opportunities for AV's development, and indicators of its success. The tiny planes, including the best-selling Raven, with a 4.5-foot wingspan, can fit in a soldier's backpack. They can be used, for example, to fly over the next hill and send pictures back to a hand-held device that lets the ground fighter and others around him see as far as six miles ahead. So far, thousands of military personnel have been trained to use the battery-powered aircraft.
Source AeroVironment
Conver said in an interview he sees a growing business with U.S. allies, who want to use the same equipment as the U.S. military, and in commercial and civil government applications for security and surveillance. So far, AeroVironment has won all four U.S. Defense Department contracts for small unmanned aircraft, competing with more than a dozen other contractors, Conver said.
For fiscal year 2010, the Company expects revenue growth of 18 per cent to 22 per cent over fiscal year 2009 and operating income margin of 12 per cent to 14 per cent.
Postscript
On 14 April 2009, a solar-powered motor glider crossed into Italy and added a name in the record book. Eric Raymond, who piloted the Sunseeker II, is a former AeroVironment alumnus. He left Butwilll, Switzerland, climbing to an altitude of 13,700 (4,175m) and landed five hours later in Turin, Italy. He said:
"It was one of the most difficult things that I have ever done, but it was also the most beautiful flight I have ever made. It was very cloudy, but after fighting to gain altitude I got over the clouds and cruised on direct solar power, eventually climbing to 13,700 ft. It was amazing to see the peaks of the mountains coming up through the clouds. I could clearly see the Matterhorn and Mt Blanc over the clouds. I could not see anything in the direction of Italy, except a solid wall of clouds. I tried to climb over them on course for Torino, but I had to fly between towering cumulo-nimbus clouds. I was in bright sun, when I noticed that I was flying through large snowflakes. That was the first sign of trouble. Soon I was trapped over these rising clouds, with my escape closed off. I was climbing at full power, but the clouds were rising faster. It was snowing on me, even though I was in the sun! Desperately flying around in my shrinking trap I found a small hole, where I could see the ground. Just snow and trees. I turned off the motor, set the airbrakes, and spiraled down 7000 ft, until I was just under the clouds. I wanted to take a picture of the snow, but I couldn't take my hands from the controls. After feeling desperate about flying through clouds in a blinding snowstorm, I felt much better seeing that the clouds did not go all the way to the ground. I even flew with a sailplane and a paraglider, so I did not feel so alone. Because of the thunderstorms, I left the Alps early, and had a long crossing over the Italian flats. It seemed to take forever to get to Torino, but in reality the entire flight took less than 5.5 hours. "
