Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 27, 2019	Aug. 28, 2019
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	AEROVIRONMENT, INC.
Entity File Number	001-33261
Entity Central Index Key	0001368622
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report 1	true
Document Transition Report 1	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 27, 2019
Entity Incorporation State Country Code 1	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	952705790
Amendment Flag	false
Trading Symbol	AVAV
Security 12b Title 1	Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Security Exchange Name 1	NASDAQ
Entity Interactive Data Current 1	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-30
Entity Address, Address Line One	900 Innovators Way
Entity Address, City or Town	Simi Valley
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	93065
City Area Code	805
Local Phone Number	520-8350
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,980,491
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false