P550
AeroVironment · United States · also known as AeroVironment P550 · Updated
The P550 is a Group 2 autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) uncrewed aircraft system developed by AeroVironment of the United States, unveiled on 14 October 2024. It is built for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, precision strike and electronic-warfare missions without needing a runway.
Overview
AeroVironment positions the P550 alongside its longer-running Puma, Raven, Wasp AE, Shrike and Switchblade families as its entry in the US Army's Long-Range Reconnaissance (LRR) programme. The Army began receiving initial P550 systems on 20 August 2025 for integration into Transformation in Contact brigades and other designated units, with delivery including operator and "train-the-trainer" instruction. In July 2026 the Army awarded AeroVironment a $117.3 million contract for 82 additional systems, and reporting on the broader LRR competition has pointed to eventual Army procurement of several hundred aircraft once a second vendor is also selected.
Design and capabilities
The P550 has a wingspan of about 17 ft (5.18 m) and a length of about 9 ft (2.74 m), with a gross take-off weight of 55 lb (24.95 kg) and a payload capacity of up to 15 lb (6.8 kg) of sensors or munitions. AeroVironment states an all-battery endurance of up to 5 hours and a datalink range of more than 40 km. The aircraft uses a Modular Open Systems Approach that allows toolless airframe assembly and hot-swappable batteries and payloads, reconfigurable in under five minutes in the field, and breaks down into three transportable cases.
Onboard SPOTR-Edge automatic target recognition and AVACORE edge-computing software let the P550 detect and classify people, vehicles, aircraft and maritime vessels autonomously. Reported compatible payloads include the L3Harris/Corvid Technologies Shryke GPS-guided munition, which weighs under 2.5 lb, alongside surveillance, signals-intelligence and communications payloads carried individually or in combination.
Operational history
The US Army is the P550's confirmed operator, having received its first systems in August 2025 for the Long-Range Reconnaissance programme and placed a follow-on order for 82 more systems in July 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How long can the P550 fly?
AeroVironment states an all-electric endurance of up to 5 hours.
What can the P550 carry?
Up to 15 lb (6.8 kg) of sensors or munitions, including the Shryke GPS-guided glide munition.
Does the P550 need a runway?
No. It is an electric VTOL aircraft that takes off and lands vertically.
Who operates the P550?
The US Army, which received its first systems in August 2025 under the Long-Range Reconnaissance programme.
When was the P550 unveiled?
AeroVironment unveiled it on 14 October 2024 at the AUSA Annual Meeting.
