AeroVironment Likely to Benefit From Counter-UAS Growth, Oppenheimer Says

11:56 AM EDT, 10/22/2026 (MT Newswires) -- AeroVironment (AVAV) is expected to benefit for counter-unmanned aircraft systems as they become the "best" next leg of growth, Oppenheimer said in a Thursday note. The note said its broader BlueHalo purchase has disappointed, with the SCAR/BADGER termination, Space goodwill impairment, a restatement and continued SCDE losses. "However, it gave AVAV the building blocks of a layered counter-UAS architecture at a time when defeating inexpensive drones has become one of the DOW's most urgent and best-funded priorities," the report said. DOW refers to Department of War. Titan, LOCUST and Freedom Eagle-1 have now moved to funded production, with counter-UAS contribution expected to rise to 20% of revenue in fiscal 2028 from 11% in 2026, the note said. Oppenheimer started coverage with an outperform rating and a $205 price target, citing opportunity to outperform expectations. Price: 118.00, Change: +0.49, Percent Change: +0.42