Predictika · Small unmanned aircraft system orders

An AI sales agent's Puma LE / Puma 3 AE order, checked before it goes out

An AI sales agent prepares an order for Puma LE or Puma 3 AE small unmanned aircraft systems: the aircraft, the Mantis i45, i45 N or HD59 payload, the ground control station, the link range option, the battery, the launch method and kits, the mission, the end user and a discount. Before the order goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of what the systems allow and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.

Scope: Puma LE and Puma 3 AE orders: payload and gimbal compatibility, link range, endurance, launch altitude and method, export, discount and the stated endurance and net price. See everything this validator covers

This validator models Puma LE and Puma 3 AE system orders, not just the scenarios shown below.

  • Aircraft and payloads — the Mantis i45, i45 N and HD59 payloads, the Universal Gimbal Kit, the secondary payload bay and the total payload each aircraft carries; the HD59 and the gimbal kit are for the Puma LE.
  • Ground station and link — the Tomahawk, Crysalis and legacy ground control stations and the standard, ERA and LRTA link options, with the mission range checked against the link range.
  • Endurance and launch — the mission time against the endurance of the configuration, the launch altitude against the aircraft limit, and the bungee launch kit for a bungee launch.
  • Kits and options — the Puma Smart 2500 battery, the VTOL Kit and the Visual Navigation System, which is an add-on for the Puma 3 AE.
  • Export, discount and totals — the end user's region and export authorization, a discount above 10 percent that needs approval and one above 20 percent that is blocked, and the endurance and net price the order states against the computed ones.

Any Puma LE or Puma 3 AE order that touches these rules is in scope — not only the scenarios pictured here. Not covered: other AeroVironment aircraft, the Switchblade and Jump families, training and support packages. Product names and headline figures follow AeroVironment's public datasheets as Predictika read them. The payload weights, the Puma 3 AE limits, the compatibility rules beyond the datasheets, the export and discount thresholds and all prices are modeled from comparable systems and are illustrative, not published by AeroVironment.

The AI sales agentBuilds the order from the conversation with the customer and says it is ready to send.
Predictika validatorChecks every rule at once and returns the verdict, each finding, and the computed figures.

6 scenarios in 2 groups · each group runs from the agent’s first attempt to the outcome · click one to switch

What the agent proposes

The AI sales agent says

Illustrative agent statement. The validator receives the structured request below.

Proposing agent: AI sales agent (scripted)

Before sending, the agent must call Recorded run

Predictika validator


      

        
        
        
      

      
Waiting for the call.

      
    

  

  
  

    
Where rules-based CPQ gets it wrong
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Our assessment of what a typical rules-based CPQ (product rules, price rules and validation rules, as in Salesforce CPQ) does with the same cases. It is a judgment about effort and reliability, not a claim that nothing can be built.

    
What the validator caughtTypical rules-based CPQPredictika
A payload that only fits one aircraftOnly with care
The HD59 and the gimbal kit are for the Puma LE and the Visual Navigation System for the Puma 3 AE, so each option needs a rule that looks at the aircraft chosen.		The aircraft and every option are in one request and are checked together on every call.
Payload weight against the aircraft limitOnly with care
The limit differs by aircraft and the secondary payload adds to the primary one, so the rule must add the weights before it compares them.		The weights are added and compared with the limit for the aircraft quoted on every call.
Endurance that depends on the whole configurationOnly with workarounds
Endurance changes with the aircraft, the payload, the battery, a secondary payload and the navigation add-on, so a separate calculation is needed before the mission time can be compared.		The endurance is computed inside the model and compared with the mission and with the endurance the order states.
Kits that a launch method requiresOnly with care
A bungee launch needs the launch kit on the order, so a rule has to connect the launch method to a separate line.		The launch method and the kit are fields of one request and are compared on every call.
Export, discount and approval thresholds togetherOnly with workarounds
Region, authorization, discount level and order value each decide between allow, approval and block, and the strictest result has to win.		Every threshold is a separate finding and the verdict follows the strictest one.
Every problem returned in one answerOnly with workarounds
Rules tend to fire as the order is saved or a step is completed, so a person often fixes one error and meets the next.		All findings come back together, whatever order the choices arrived in.

  

  

    
What this validator catches: findings from its test cases
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Every rule is checked on every call, in any order the choices arrive; one problem never hides another. Blocking findings stop the order; approval findings need a person to sign off; everything else is computed.

    
1The HD59 payload is carried on the Universal Gimbal Kit; the order has no gimbal kit.
2Primary and secondary payloads together weigh 2100 g; the selected aircraft carries up to 2000 g.
3The HD59 payload is listed for the Puma LE, not the Puma 3 AE.
4The Universal Gimbal Kit is listed for the Puma LE, not the Puma 3 AE.
5The Visual Navigation System is listed as an add-on for the Puma 2 AE and 3 AE, not the Puma LE.
6Launch at 10001 ft density altitude is above the 10000 ft the selected aircraft is listed for.
7The secondary payload weighs 1501 g; the selected aircraft carries up to 1500 g in it.
8Bungee launch needs the Puma Bungee Launch System kit, and the order has none.
9Night operation is required, and the Mantis i45 is the day payload; the night payload is the Mantis i45 N.
10Night operation with the HD59 payload needs an engineer to confirm the sensor suite.
11The mission needs 41 km; the selected link option reaches 40 km.
12The ERA and LRTA range options are not offered on the legacy ground control station.
13The mission is 391 minutes; the configuration flies 390 minutes.
14The Puma VTOL Kit is described for the Puma 3 AE; a person should confirm it for the Puma LE.
153 payloads are ordered for 2 aircraft; each aircraft carries one primary payload.
163 ground control stations are ordered for 2 aircraft.
174 aircraft for 1 ground station is more than three aircraft per station; operations should confirm.
18The end user is outside the United States and no export authorization is on file.
19The end user is outside the United States and NATO; export compliance should review the release.
20A discount of 15 percent is above the 10 percent a sales agent can give; sales management should approve it.

  

  

    
Scenarios and results
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The recorded result of the validator for each scenario on this page: the request the AI agent sent, the verdict, and every finding, in the order they appear above.

    
1. Puma 3 AE order with the HD59 payload and a bungee launch: Puma 3 AE order with the HD59 payload and a gimbal kit

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2 Puma 3 AE aircraft with 2 HD59 payloads, with the Universal Gimbal Kit. The ground control is 1 Tomahawk station with the ERA link. The mission is 35 km and 120 minutes, launching by bungee from 8,500 ft. The end user is in the United States. The sales rep offers a discount of 12 percent and the order states an endurance of 72 minutes and a net price of 501,600 dollars. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Launch altitude above the aircraft limit. Launch at 8500 ft density altitude is above the 7000 ft the selected aircraft is listed for.
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  • Total payload over the aircraft limit. Primary and secondary payloads together weigh 2100 g; the selected aircraft carries up to 2000 g.
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  • HD59 payload only on Puma LE. The HD59 payload is listed for the Puma LE, not the Puma 3 AE.
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  • Universal Gimbal Kit only on Puma LE. The Universal Gimbal Kit is listed for the Puma LE, not the Puma 3 AE.
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  • Bungee launch without the kit. Bungee launch needs the Puma Bungee Launch System kit, and the order has none.
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  • Mission longer than the endurance. The mission is 120 minutes; the configuration flies 72 minutes.
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  • Discount needs sales management. A discount of 12 percent is above the 10 percent a sales agent can give; sales management should approve it.
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2. Puma 3 AE order with the HD59 payload and a bungee launch: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2 Puma LE aircraft with 2 HD59 payloads, with the Universal Gimbal Kit. The ground control is 1 Tomahawk station with the ERA link. The mission is 35 km and 120 minutes, launching by bungee from 8,500 ft. The end user is in the United States. The sales rep offers a discount of 12 percent and the order states an endurance of 210 minutes and a net price of 547,360 dollars. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Bungee launch without the kit. Bungee launch needs the Puma Bungee Launch System kit, and the order has none.
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  • Discount needs sales management. A discount of 12 percent is above the 10 percent a sales agent can give; sales management should approve it.
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3. Puma 3 AE order with the HD59 payload and a bungee launch: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 2 Puma LE aircraft with 2 HD59 payloads, with the Universal Gimbal Kit and the Bungee Launch System. The ground control is 1 Tomahawk station with the ERA link. The mission is 35 km and 120 minutes, launching by bungee from 8,500 ft. The end user is in the United States. The sales rep offers a discount of 8 percent and the order states an endurance of 210 minutes and a net price of 577,760 dollars. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. Endurance 210 minutes, link range 40 km, payload weight 2100 g, estimated net price $577,760 at the modeled, illustrative price list.
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4. Four-aircraft export order: Four-aircraft export order with a secondary payload

    
The agent's request. Please quote 4 Puma LE aircraft with 4 Mantis i45 payloads, with a 1,600 g secondary payload. The ground control is 1 Tomahawk station with the LRTA link. The mission is 70 km and 300 minutes, launching by hand from 3,000 ft. The end user is in a country outside the United States and NATO. The sales rep offers a discount of 25 percent and the order states an endurance of 360 minutes and a net price of 659,250 dollars. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Blocked.

    
    
      
  • Secondary payload too heavy. The secondary payload weighs 1600 g; the selected aircraft carries up to 1500 g in it.
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  • Mission range beyond the link range. The mission needs 70 km; the selected link option reaches 60 km.
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  • Export authorization missing. The end user is outside the United States and no export authorization is on file.
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  • Discount above the maximum. A discount of 25 percent is above the 20 percent maximum this model allows.
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  • Release outside the US and NATO. The end user is outside the United States and NATO; export compliance should review the release.
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  • Many aircraft per ground station. 4 aircraft for 1 ground station is more than three aircraft per station; operations should confirm.
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5. Four-aircraft export order: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 4 Puma LE aircraft with 4 Mantis i45 payloads, with a 1,400 g secondary payload. The ground control is 1 Tomahawk station with the LRTA link. The mission is 55 km and 300 minutes, launching by hand from 3,000 ft. The end user is in a country outside the United States and NATO. The sales rep offers a discount of 15 percent and the order states an endurance of 360 minutes and a net price of 747,150 dollars. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Needs approval.

    
    
      
  • Release outside the US and NATO. The end user is outside the United States and NATO; export compliance should review the release.
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  • Discount needs sales management. A discount of 15 percent is above the 10 percent a sales agent can give; sales management should approve it.
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  • Many aircraft per ground station. 4 aircraft for 1 ground station is more than three aircraft per station; operations should confirm.
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  • Order summary. Endurance 360 minutes, link range 60 km, payload weight 2350 g, estimated net price $747,150 at the modeled, illustrative price list.
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6. Four-aircraft export order: The agent resubmits after fixing the errors

    
The agent's request. Please quote 4 Puma LE aircraft with 4 Mantis i45 payloads, with a 1,400 g secondary payload. The ground control is 2 Tomahawk stations with the LRTA link. The mission is 55 km and 300 minutes, launching by hand from 3,000 ft. The end user is in a NATO country. The sales rep offers a discount of 10 percent and the order states an endurance of 360 minutes and a net price of 876,600 dollars. It is ready to send.

    
Verdict: Allowed.

    
    
      
  • Order summary. Endurance 360 minutes, link range 60 km, payload weight 2350 g, estimated net price $876,600 at the modeled, illustrative price list.
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Narration transcript
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The text of the narrated walkthrough, step by step.

    
    
      
  1. Welcome to a demo of Predictika's Validator. An AI sales agent prepares an order for Puma LE or Puma 3 AE small unmanned aircraft systems: the aircraft, the Mantis i45, i45 N or HD59 payload, and more. Before the order goes out, the agent sends it to Predictika, which checks it against a declarative model of what the systems allow and returns a verdict, every reason and the figures it computed.
    2. 
      
  2. I will start with the first request by the agent.
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  3. The agent says. Please quote 2 Puma 3 AE aircraft with 2 HD59 payloads, with the Universal Gimbal Kit. The ground control is 1 Tomahawk station with the ERA link. The rest of the request is on screen. The sales rep offers a discount of 12 percent and the order states an endurance of 72 minutes and a net price of 501,600 dollars.
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  4. Before it goes out, the agent calls the validator.
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  5. Blocked, with six findings and one approval, all in one answer. Launch at 8500 ft density altitude is above the 7000 ft the selected aircraft is listed for. Primary and secondary payloads together weigh 2100 g; the selected aircraft carries up to 2000 g. The HD59 payload is listed for the Puma LE, not the Puma 3 AE. The other three are on screen.
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  6. The validator returned six blocking findings and one approval in one answer. A check that reads one field at a time would pass most of this; it shows only when the choices in the order are checked against each other.
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  7. What this shows: for a payload that only fits one aircraft, a rules-based CPQ is error-prone for this.
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  8. Now the agent resubmits.
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  9. The corrected request. It changes the aircraft to 2 x Puma LE, the endurance stated on the order to 210 minutes and the net price stated on the order to 547,360.
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  10. It calls the validator again.
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  11. Still blocked, with one finding and one approval, all in one answer. Bungee launch needs the Puma Bungee Launch System kit, and the order has none.
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  12. Five findings cleared. Still blocking: bungee launch without the kit. One approval also remains for a person: discount needs sales management.
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  13. The agent resubmits once more.
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  14. The revised request. It changes the Bungee Launch System to yes, the discount to 8 percent and the net price stated on the order to 577,760.
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  15. It calls the validator once more.
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  16. This time the validator clears it.
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  17. Both earlier findings are cleared.
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  18. Seven problems caught in one call, fixed in two passes, and a clean order. That is the value of Predictika's validator: catching mistakes before they reach the customer. Now you can try the other scenarios yourself.
    19.