Michael Bissonette Appointed Vice President and General Manager of AeroVironment's...

Michael Bissonette Appointed Vice President and General Manager of AeroVironment's Energy Technology Center

MONROVIA, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leader in unmanned
aircraft systems and efficient electric energy systems, today
announced that Michael Bissonette, formerly assistant general manager
of AV's Energy Technology Center (ETC), has been appointed vice
president and general manager of the ETC. Bissonette assumes the role
previously occupied by Joseph Edwards, who has stepped down in
preparation for his retirement.

"Mike brings a wealth of experience, with more than 25 years
supporting and leading new product development initiatives in
technology and aerospace businesses. Since joining AV he has
demonstrated the skills and dedication necessary to lead this
strategic segment of our business," said Tim Conver, chairman, chief
executive officer and president of AV. "I wish to thank Joe Edwards
for his 11 years of outstanding contributions to AeroVironment, first
as chief financial officer then as general manager of the Energy
Technology Center. We will miss his wisdom, honesty, and wit."

AV's Energy Technology Center focuses primarily on the development
of innovative, efficient electric energy technologies for internal and
external customers, and also develops, produces and supports a line of
electronic test equipment used for research and development
activities. The ETC developed the Advanced Battery Charger sold with
AV's small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and the propulsion system
developed for AV's Global Observer stratospheric persistent UAS, which
is under development. Architectural Wind, an innovative clean energy
generation system for buildings, is also a development program
underway within the ETC.

Prior to joining AV, Bissonette served as senior director of new
product introduction program management for Western Digital
Corporation, where he worked for 11 years. A native of New York,
Bissonette has resided in Southern California for the past 28 years.

Edwards will remain with AeroVironment through April 2008 focusing
on special projects for the office of the chairman.

About AeroVironment, Inc. (AV)

Building on a history of technological innovation, AV designs,
develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned
Aircraft Systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems. The
company's small UAS are used extensively by agencies of the U.S.
Department of Defense and increasingly by allied military services to
provide situational awareness to tactical operating units through
real-time, airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and target
acquisition. AV's PosiCharge(R) fast charge systems eliminate battery
changing for electric industrial vehicles in factories, airports, and
distribution centers. More information about AV is available at
www.avinc.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release may constitute
"forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on
the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that
involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to,
economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside
of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from the
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our
ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional
contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of
competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow;
failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or
integrate new technology with current products; and general economic
and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the
world. For a further list and description of such risks and
uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to
update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.

AeroVironment, Inc.
Steven Gitlin, +1 626-357-9983
pr@avinc.com
or
For AeroVironment, Inc.
Mark Boyer, +1 310-455-7812
mark@boyersyn.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008