---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-26-041267"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "AVAV"
cik: "0001368622"
company_name: "AeroVironment Inc"
filed_at: "2026-04-09T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T06:46:39.649334+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# AeroVironment appoints Dr. Robert Smith as COO, effective April 13, 2026

## Summary
- Smith succeeds Brad Truesdell, who retires after April 30 and will consult at $200/hr for up to 26 months.
- Smith receives $550k base salary, $440k bonus target, $350k sign-on bonus, and $350k RSUs vesting over 3 years.
- Eligible for FY2027 LTIP: $715k PSUs (3-year performance) and $385k RSUs (3-year vesting).
- Smith previously VP at Raytheon overseeing multi-billion-dollar radar/EW business; will oversee AxS and SCDE units.
- Truesdell's outstanding RSUs continue vesting; PRSUs forfeited except FY2024-2026 performance period.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-26-041267
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: AVAV
- cik: 0001368622
- company_name: AeroVironment Inc
- filed_at: 2026-04-09T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1368622/000110465926041267/0001104659-26-041267-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1368622/000110465926041267/tm2611447d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-041267
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-041267.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-26-041267.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.