The US government has committed an additional $20.2 million to AeroVironment to expand production capacity for its Freedom Eagle-1 (FE-1) kinetic counter-drone missile.
The funding will support the expansion of the company’s 24,000-square-foot (2,230-square-meter) facility in Huntsville, Alabama, which is set to become the primary integration, manufacturing, and production center for the FE-1 interceptor.
The upgraded facility is intended to boost low-rate initial production while preparing for future full-rate manufacturing to meet urgent operational requirements from the US Army and Combatant Commands.
The investment follows AeroVironment’s $95.9-million contract awarded in October 2025 to manufacture and deliver the FE-1 under the US Army’s Next-Generation Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Missile and Long-Range Kinetic Interceptor initiatives.
Freedom Eagle-1
The FE-1 was designed as a cost-effective but high-performance interceptor capable of defeating larger and more advanced drones, particularly Group 2 and Group 3 uncrewed aerial systems.
The missile can also engage smaller drones as well as fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
AeroVironment developed the interceptor on an accelerated timeline, progressing from initial concept to first flight in just 107 days.
The program has already achieved several milestones, including successful dual-thrust solid rocket motor testing, warhead detonation trials, and controlled launch demonstrations.
