AeroVironment CFO Sells 4,845 Shares Under 10b5-1 Plan, Secures $17.8 Million Amid Defense Stock Rally

Kevin Patrick McDonnell, Chief Financial Officer of defense technology firm AeroVironment Inc. (ticker: AVAV), sold 4,845 shares of the company’s common stock through a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan on January 12, 2026, at an average price of approximately $367.60 per share. The sale generated roughly $1.78 million in cash (about 2.3 billion KRW). Following this transaction, McDonnell’s indirect holdings via the trust total 17,301 shares, valued at approximately $6.36 million (about 8.4 billion KRW) at the same share price.

AeroVironment has emerged as a flagship defense-sector rally leader in early 2026, driven by the Trump administration’s large proposed increases in defense spending and substantial unmanned systems and counter-drone contracts with the U.S. Army. The company has aggressively expanded its product portfolio—from underwater drones to next-generation vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft, U.S. Army counter-drone missiles, and large unmanned systems sold to foreign militaries. In the second quarter of fiscal 2025, which included contributions from its recent acquisition BlueHalo, AeroVironment reported triple-digit year-over-year revenue growth.

Known for its Switchblade loitering munition, JUMP 20 and P550 unmanned aircraft, AeroVironment is a U.S. specialist in unmanned systems whose real-world performance in the Ukraine conflict has underscored its capabilities and fueled demand from the U.S. military and allied nations. McDonnell’s holdings are disclosed both in his personal name and indirectly through the McDonnell Moore Living Trust. His recurring use of 10b5-1 plans to liquidate shares is widely viewed as a disciplined risk-management strategy in a high-valuation environment and a means of periodic asset diversification.