AeroVironment, Inc. has appointed William J. Lynn III to its Board of Directors, effective June 24, 2026, to bolster its leadership in the global security sector. Lynn brings extensive experience in government, national security, and defense technology, having served as the 30th U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense from 2009 to 2011. His appointment is aimed at providing valuable insights as the company continues to scale and advance its position in a dynamic security environment.

Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment's chairman, president, and chief executive officer, highlighted Lynn's distinguished service and perspective as both a defense leader and public-company executive. Nawabi stated that Lynn's background will be a tremendous asset to the board. Lynn expressed honor in joining the board during a pivotal time for the company and national defense, emphasizing the relevance of AeroVironment's innovative solutions for warfighters and allies.

Professional Background

Lynn served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Leonardo DRS, Inc., a leading defense electronics company, from 2012 until 2026. Earlier in his career, he held senior roles at Raytheon Company and within the Department of Defense, including as Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and Chief Financial Officer. Lynn is a graduate of Dartmouth College, holds a J.D. from Cornell Law School, and an M.P.A. in international affairs from Princeton University.

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. The company develops autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities. Its AI-powered software platform, AV_Halo™, empowers warfighters with mission-ready solutions for full-battlefield dominance.

The Aero Club of Southern California will honor Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and CEO of AeroVironment, Inc., with the 47th annual Howard Hughes Memorial Award on October 23, 2026, at the California Club in Los Angeles. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting impacts in the aerospace industry. Nawabi is being recognized for transforming AeroVironment into a prominent supplier of battlefield-proven defense technology and for his role in advancing unmanned aerial systems and robotic capabilities.

Since becoming CEO in 2016, Nawabi has driven substantial financial growth at AeroVironment. The company's revenue increased from roughly $250 million in 2016 to $1.3 billion in the first three quarters of FY26. During the same period, the market capitalization grew twentyfold, rising from about $500 million to approximately $10 billion. In May 2025, Nawabi led the company's $4.1 billion acquisition of BlueHalo, which nearly doubled AeroVironment's scale and expanded its capabilities into space communications, counter-drone directed energy, RF jamming, and cyber operations.

Key Financial and Operational Milestones

Under Nawabi's tenure, AeroVironment has achieved several technological breakthroughs. The company's Ingenuity helicopter became the first aircraft to achieve powered flight on another planet. Additionally, the Switchblade lethal drone played a decisive role in Ukraine's defense against Russia. Nawabi joined AeroVironment in 2011 after nearly two decades in the industrial, energy, and technology sectors.

Company Background and Leadership

AeroVironment, Inc. is a publicly traded global defense and aerospace technology leader delivering capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. Founded in 1971 by Dr. Paul MacCready, a past recipient of the Howard Hughes Memorial Award, the company has produced over 50,000 unmanned aircraft for 55 allied nations. Headquartered in Arlington, VA, the company employs approximately 4,000 people, with roughly 1,700 in California and 1,000 in Simi Valley, California.

Suzanne Fuentes, President of the Aero Club of Southern California, praised Nawabi's contributions, stating that his leadership evolved the company from a creator of human-powered aircraft into a key defense technology supplier. The Aero Club of Southern California is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting aviation and aerospace through events, scholarships, and awards.