AeroVironment (AVAV) Secures $43M Pentagon Contract for PANTHER Antenna System
PANTHER is an acronym for Phased Array Next-gen Telemetry Hypersonic Emitter Receiver. This portable, airborne antenna platform can simultaneously monitor numerous targets. Developed to facilitate U.S. hypersonic weapon and missile testing programs, the technology promises to accelerate evaluation timelines and enable quicker operational deployment compared to legacy systems. Conventional testing infrastructure depends on stationary parabolic dish configurations. PANTHER represents a departure from this approach, delivering an adaptable, fully-digital architecture featuring remote connectivity and autonomous operational capabilities. Understanding the SkyRange Program SkyRange represents a DoW TRMC initiative utilizing high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with telemetry, communication, and data-gathering equipment. The program aims to establish more adaptable, airborne testing capabilities. Incorporating PANTHER into SkyRange provides multi-band, multi-target monitoring functionality across diverse mission profiles and evaluation environments. The technology features scalable and reconfigurable design, accommodating various operational scenarios without requiring substantial hardware modifications between deployments. AeroVironment is advancing PANTHER integration efforts at its GrandSKY facility in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Training the Next Generation at GrandSKY Beyond technological development, AeroVironment is focusing on human capital development. The company has partnered with North Dakota state authorities and Bismarck State College to establish a certification curriculum for PANTHER technicians. This initiative aims to develop a regional talent pool capable of operating and maintaining the system









