AeroVironment Inc. announced the launch of the Mission Specialist Wraith, a compact, expeditionary‑ready unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) developed by its wholly owned subsidiary VideoRay. The Wraith is engineered for demanding subsea operations, offering six‑degree‑of‑freedom maneuverability through 10 vectored thrusters and a modular design that allows rapid deployment in complex maritime environments.
The Wraith launch is a key element of AeroVironment’s “all‑domain autonomous systems” strategy, which seeks to provide integrated solutions across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. By adding a high‑performance UUV to its portfolio, the company broadens its reach into the growing subsea market and positions itself to deliver end‑to‑end autonomous capabilities to defense and commercial customers.
The global UUV market is projected to grow from $5.49 billion in 2025 to $46.62 billion by 2035, a compound annual growth rate of 23.85%. North America is expected to be a key growth region, driven by defense contracts and advances in artificial intelligence that enable higher autonomy and longer endurance for underwater platforms.
Technically, the Wraith’s 10 vectored thrusters provide precise control and agility that were previously limited to larger vehicles. Its compact size and expeditionary configuration enable rapid deployment and extended mission endurance, allowing operators to conduct surveillance, inspection, and data collection with reduced risk to personnel.
AeroVironment’s recent financial performance supports the strategic significance of the launch. The company reported a 17.3% revenue growth over the past three years, although it remains unprofitable with negative EPS, operating, and net margins. The acquisition of BlueHalo for approximately $4.1 billion in an all‑stock transaction has expanded the company’s capabilities in space, directed energy, and cyber, reinforcing its multi‑domain focus. Analysts have responded positively, with Citizens assigning a Market Outperform rating and a $400 price target, and KeyBanc issuing an Overweight rating and a $285 target.
Market reaction to the launch has been favorable, reflecting confidence in AeroVironment’s expanding autonomous portfolio and its recent contract wins, including a $887 million U.S. Army award for unmanned and counter‑drone systems. The company’s stock has surged 128.66% over the past year, underscoring investor enthusiasm for its strategic direction.
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