Loss from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 was $14.1 million, an increase of $13.5 million from the third quarter of fiscal 2021 loss from operations of $0.6 million. The increase in loss from operations was primarily the result of a decrease in gross margin of $7.2 million and an increase in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense of $6.9 million, partially offset by a decrease in research and development (“R&D”) expense of $0.6 million. SG&A expense included acquisition-related expenses and intangible amortization expense of $4.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2022 as compared to $3.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2021. SG&A expense in the current quarter also included additional headcount and support costs associated with the acquisitions of Arcturus, ISG and Telerob.
Other expense, net, for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 was $1.5 million, as compared to other income, net of $0.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021. The increase in other expense, net was primarily due to higher interest expense of $1.5 million resulting from the term debt issued concurrent with the acquisition of Arcturus.
Benefit from income taxes for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 was $15.4 million, as compared to $0.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021. The increase in benefit from income taxes was primarily due to the decrease in income before income taxes and an increase in certain federal income tax credits.
Equity method investment income, net of tax, for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 was $0.2 million, as compared to equity method investment loss, net of tax of $0.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021.
Net income attributable to AeroVironment for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 was $10 thousand, or $0 per diluted share, as compared to $0.2 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2021.
Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share was $0.32 for the third quarter of fiscal 2022, as compared to $0.14 for the third quarter of fiscal 2021.
BACKLOG
As of January 29, 2022, funded backlog (remaining performance obligations under firm orders for which funding is currently appropriated to us under a customer contract) was $226.3 million, as compared to $211.8 million as of April 30, 2021.
FISCAL 2022 — REVISED OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR (UNCHANGED)
For the fiscal year 2022, the Company continues to expect revenue of between $440 million and $460 million, net loss of between $12 million and $8 million, Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of between $59 million and $65 million, loss per diluted share of between $(0.47) and $(0.33) and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which excludes litigation settlement expenses, acquisition-related expenses and amortization of intangible assets, of between $1.23 and $1.37.
The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and including certain assumptions with respect to our ability to efficiently and on a timely basis integrate our acquisitions, obtain and retain government contracts, changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, changes in the demand for our products and services, activities of competitors, changes in the regulatory environment, and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Investors are reminded that actual results may differ materially from these estimates.
CONFERENCE CALL AND PRESENTATION
In conjunction with this release, AeroVironment, Inc. will host a conference call today, Thursday, March 3, 2022, at 4:30 pm Eastern Time that will be webcast live. Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Kevin P. McDonnell, chief financial officer and Jonah Teeter-Balin, senior director corporate development and investor relations, will host the call.