administrative (“SG&A”) expense of $39.7 million, inclusive of $34.1 million of accelerated intangible amortization expenses associated with the closure of all of the Company’s MUAS COCO sites, and higher research and development (“R&D”) expense of $2.8 million, partially offset by an increase in gross margin of $19.8 million.
Other loss, net, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $(0.8) million, as compared to other income, net, of $5.3 million for the fourth quarter of last fiscal year. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increase in interest rates on the Company’s debt facility. Other loss, net for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 includes unrealized gains and losses associated with changes in the fair market value of equity security investments. Other income, net for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 included a $6.5 million gain related to the sale of ownership in HAPSMobile Inc.
Benefit from income taxes for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $(6.3) million, as compared to provision for income taxes of $15.5 million for the fourth quarter of last fiscal year. The increase in benefit from income taxes was primarily due to an increase in loss before income taxes partially offset by non-deductible goodwill impairment expenses.
Equity method investment loss, net of tax, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $(0.3) million, as compared to equity method investment income $4.4 million for the fourth quarter of last fiscal year. Subsequent to the sale of the equity interest in HAPSMobile during the three months ended April 30, 2022, equity method investment loss, net of tax no longer includes activity from HAPSMobile.
Net loss attributable to AeroVironment for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was $(160.5) million, or $(6.31) per diluted share, as compared to net income attributable to AeroVironment of $7.3 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, in the prior-year period, respectively. Net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 included goodwill impairment charges of $156.0 million and accelerated intangible amortization expenses of $34.1 million.
Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 was approximately $46 million and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.99, as compared to approximately $29 million and $0.12, respectively, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022.
BACKLOG
As of April 30, 2023, funded backlog (defined as remaining performance obligations under firm orders for which funding is currently appropriated to us under a customer contract) was $424.1 million, as compared to $210.8 million as of April 30, 2022.
FISCAL 2024 — OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR
For fiscal year 2024, the Company expects revenue of between $630 million and $660 million, net income of between $50 and $58 million, Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA of between $110 million and $120 million, earnings per diluted share of between $1.91 and $2.21 and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, which excludes amortization of intangible assets, other non-cash purchase accounting expenses and equity securities investments gains or losses, of between $2.30 and $2.60.
The foregoing estimates are forward-looking and reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including certain assumptions with respect to our ability to efficiently and on a timely basis integrate acquisitions, obtain and retain government contracts, changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, react to 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, Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 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.
Investors may access the call by registering via the following participant registration link up to ten minutes prior to the start time.