AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) announced the appointment of Dr. Robert Smith as executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective April 13, 2026.

Dr. Smith will oversee the company's Autonomous Systems and Space, Cyber and Directed Energy business units, along with global operations and manufacturing operations. He will report to Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Wahid Nawabi.

The executive joins AeroVironment from Raytheon, an RTX company, where he served as vice president of Radio Frequency Solutions. At Raytheon, Dr. Smith managed profit and loss responsibilities for a multi-billion-dollar radar and electronic warfare business. He previously held the role of vice president of Mission Suites, leading development and delivery of integrated sensor and electronic warfare products for U.S. and international customers.

Before Raytheon, Dr. Smith worked as senior vice president and general manager of Integrated Defense Solutions at CAES. He also served as president of Government Operations at BWX Technologies, overseeing the company's U.S.-based nuclear business lines. His career includes executive positions at Lockheed Martin and roles in the intelligence community.

Dr. Smith holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Auburn University, and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

AeroVironment develops autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-drone technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities for defense applications.