AeroVironment has received an additional $20.2 million in US government funding to scale up production of its Freedom Eagle-1 (FE-1) counter-drone missile system.
The investment will fund the expansion of the company’s Huntsville, Alabama, facility by 24,000 square feet (2,230 square meters), establishing the site as the central hub for FE-1 integration, manufacturing, and production activities.
The facility expansion is aimed at increasing low-rate initial production volumes and accelerating the transition toward full-rate production to satisfy urgent US Army and Combatant Command requirements.
The latest funding builds on a $95.9-million contract awarded to AeroVironment in October 2025 for the production and delivery of the FE-1 under the Army’s Next-Generation Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Missile and Long-Range Kinetic Interceptor programs.
Counter-Drone Interceptor
The Freedom Eagle-1 is intended to provide an affordable yet highly capable solution for defeating larger and more sophisticated drones, especially Group 2 and Group 3 unmanned aerial systems.
In addition to countering drones, the interceptor can also engage fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.
The system was developed under a rapid acquisition timeline, advancing from design concept to first flight within 107 days.
Testing milestones already completed include successful dual-thrust rocket motor firings, warhead detonation evaluations, and controlled vehicle launch trials.
