AeroVironment CEO on the future of drones and defense

Summary

AeroVironment CEO Wahid Nawabi sits down with CNBC’s Morgan Brennan to discuss the company’s leadership in military drones, the expanding need for counter-drone systems, and its emerging space portfolio. He emphasizes the paradigm shift to drone warfare, AVAV’s profitable scale, and the long-term potential of the Sunglider solar-powered plane to compete with satellite internet networks.

• AeroVironment is presented as the largest U.S. producer of military drones with a proven, profitable model.
• Drone warfare is seen as a major paradigm shift, driving multi-billion-dollar global demand.
• The counter-drone portfolio includes jammers, directed energy lasers, and the Freedom Eagle low-cost kinetic missile.
• International ally demand is significant and growing, with exports to over 55 countries.
• The Sunglider solar-powered stratospheric plane is positioned as a future Starlink competitor and military surveillance asset.
• Space capabilities include laser satellite communications and Mars helicopter missions, though currently small in revenue.
• Commercial critical infrastructure protection against drones is a large future market needing regulatory changes.