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The themes AeroVironment is part of, the highest-graded companies in its industry, and the companies in its sector whose grade rose recently.
Highest-graded in Aerospace and Defense
Graded A or B and worth $2B or more: A first, then the largest.
GEGeneral Electric Company$354BA+
RTXRTX Corporation$271.7BA
LMTLockheed Martin Corporation$140.9BA
GDGeneral Dynamics Corporation$99.2BA
HWMHowmet Aerospace Inc.$89.1BA+
Grade rose recently in Industrials
Rose to A or B on a filing in the last 90 days, worth $2B or more: largest first.
UPSUnited Parcel Service, Inc.Oct 27, 2026CBGraded C, now B
CSXCSX CorporationOct 21, 2026CAGraded C, now A
CPCanadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd.Oct 29, 2026BAGraded B, now A
URIUnited Rentals, Inc.Oct 21, 2026CAGraded C, now A
WCNWaste Connections, Inc.Oct 22, 2026BAGraded B, now A
How it makes money
- Autonomous Systems: uncrewed aircraft, precision-strike and defensive systems, and related services69%
- Space, Cyber and Directed Energy: space equipment, laser weapons, cyber work, and mission services31%
Shares of revenue are estimates for FY ended April 30, 2026, not figures from a filing.
Competes with
What it sells6
Switchblade family
Portable drones that can provide surveillance and then strike stationary or moving targets.
Puma, Raven, and P550
Small electric aircraft that troops can carry and use for observation and communications.
JUMP 20
A field-deployable aircraft designed to stay airborne longer and carry larger payloads than small reconnaissance drones.
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Titan
Systems that detect hostile drones and use radio signals to disrupt them.
LOCUST
A vehicle-mounted or ship-mounted laser weapon system designed to track and defeat aerial threats, including drones.
BADGER and WASP
Multi-beam antenna systems for satellite communications, tracking, and other space missions.
Who buys it5
- The U.S. Department of Defense, including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Special Operations Command, buys equipment and services through contracts.
- U.S. intelligence agencies and other federal agencies buy defense, cyber, engineering, and mission services.
- Allied governments and coalition partners buy equipment, support, and training either directly or through U.S.-managed foreign military sales.
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- Federal and public-safety agencies buy systems for work such as public safety and protection of critical infrastructure.
- Commercial customers buy systems and services for uses including infrastructure protection, intelligence work, and research.
What it stands on, and what could break it
What the business leans on
- 1Government budgets, contract awards, and funding decisions affect a large portion of sales; the U.S. Army accounted for 25% of sales revenue (FY ended April 30, 2026, high).
- 2Manufacturing depends on suppliers providing critical materials and components on time; shortages or delays can slow production and delivery.
- 3Some products require government approval for export, and sales of aircraft in the United States can depend on aviation and communications rules.
- 4Sensitive government work depends on employees and facilities holding required security clearances.
What could go wrong
- 1Government budget changes, delayed funding, delayed contract awards, or contract cancellations can delay or reduce sales; U.S. government contracts can be terminated for convenience.
- 2Shortages of critical parts or difficulty expanding production capacity could delay deliveries as the company increases output across several product lines.
- 3Contract costs and revenue estimates can change as work progresses; the termination of the Space Force SCAR antenna program was followed by a goodwill impairment and a correction to the company's goodwill impairment calculation.
About AeroVironment Inc
AeroVironment makes uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), including small reconnaissance drones and larger aircraft, as well as drones designed to observe and strike targets. It also makes systems to detect and defeat hostile drones, laser weapons, satellite communications equipment, and hardware for tracking missiles. Government customers also hire the company for cyber, intelligence, engineering, and research work.
- Head office
- Arlington, Virginia
- Founded
- 1971
- Employees
- 4,091 (April 30, 2026, high)
- Listed on
- NASDAQ
- Financial year ends
- April 30
Built from AeroVironment Inc’s own filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Figures are as reported, with per-share history restated onto today’s share basis. This describes a business — it is not investment advice and not a recommendation to buy or sell anything.
