AeroVironment Announces Expansion of Popular Product Line; Systems Revolutionize Testing of Fuel Cells, Batteries and Turbines.

MONROVIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1999--

AeroVironment Inc. today announced the introduction of two exciting new products, AV-900 Volt Drive Train Development and Test System for heavy duty hybrid electric vehicles and the MT-30 Module Level Test Station.

The new products represent a broadening of AeroVironment's popular Power Processing Systems product line. Customers around the world use AeroVironment's ABC-150 to test electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles and components. As the industry grows and changes, AeroVironment has changed with it, developing new products on market feedback from existing and prospective customers.

As electric and hybrid passenger vehicle technology progresses, it is now feasible to apply these innovations to heavy duty applications. The need for clean heavy duty applications is immediate. AeroVironment's new AV-900 Volt Drive Train Development and Test System is a tool to advance the necessary heavy duty hybrid electric vehicle technology.

Capable of voltages up to 900 volts and power up to 250kW, the AV-900 is the one product that heavy duty vehicle developers need to be successful.

"Trying to develop a hybrid or electric vehicle without this tool is like trying to design the space shuttle with a slide rule," said Ilker "Ike" Bayraktar, AeroVironment vice president of Sales and New Business. "The AV-900 is computer controlled to conduct rigorous testing in the laboratory. Batteries, motors, turbines, fuel cells and inverters are all tested with the same piece of equipment."

The AV-900 was developed under a DARPA RA99 grant from the Advanced Vehicle Technologies Program, a public-private partnership intended to create cleaner, quieter, and more fuel-efficient vehicles. The AVP is jointly managed and jointly funded by the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Defense and a broad cross-section of public and private partners.

The goal of the program is to bring advanced medium- and heavy- duty vehicles to the nation's roads, waterways, airports, and rails by helping to develop, demonstrate and deploy new vehicles, components and infrastructure.

Building upon President Clinton's commitment to mobilize private sector investments in untapped domestic markets, U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater awarded the AV-900 project valued at more than $800,000 to AeroVironment, a participant in Electricore Inc., a consortium dedicated to developing advanced transportation technologies.

AVP funded this project to develop a critical infrastructure component required for industry testing and deployment of all battery technologies (including nickel-metal hydride, lithium ion and lithium polymer batteries), as well as fuel cell and reformer systems for electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

The project team partnering to develop this system included AeroVironment; Allison Transmission, a division of General Motors; and GM Advanced Technology Vehicles.

Allison Transmission is the first customer, purchasing five AV-900 systems. The first units will be delivered this month.

"Our targeted vehicle market for hybrid vehicle technology will include heavy-duty cargo trucks, transit and shuttle buses, school buses, and military wheeled vehicles," said Dan Hancock, president of Allison Transmission. "Heavy duty hybrid electric vehicles offer the best hope for reduced emissions and significantly improved fuel economy in the next 10 years."

"AeroVironment is appreciative of our partners in the AV-900 AVP program and proud to mark the success of the program by moving this critical technology into the marketplace," stated Bayraktar.

The other product to be introduced to the market is the MT-30 Module Level Test Station. A product designed specifically for tests requiring lower power than AeroVironment's flagship ABC-150 system, the MT-30 is a dual channel power processing system appropriate to test fuel cells and associated systems.

It is extremely accurate, with quick response, which is perfect for module level or "short string" battery testing. Virtually any battery technology can be tested. In addition, distributed energy applications such as residential power will also benefit from this system to test small turbines and fuel cells.

With the new product introductions, AeroVironment now offers a full range of Power Processing Systems with capability to test energy storage products, motors, inverters and more. Products in the line include MT-30 (up to 30kW), FC-100 (up to 100kW), ABC-150 (up to 120kW), ABC-170 (up to 170kW) and the AV-900 (up to 250kW).

Created in 1971 to meet environmental and energy needs now and in the future, AeroVironment has a long-standing track record of success through creative engineering solutions which emphasize efficiency, performance, and alternative energy.

Active in the development of new marketplaces, AeroVironment's products lead the industry in electric vehicles, distributed energy generation and remotely piloted aircraft. Visit the company's Web site at www.aerovironment.com.