Switchblade drone

2022 - 3 - 16

ukraine switchblade drones

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

What are Switchblade drones, the kamikaze 'killer' drones Biden is ... (The Washington Post)

The small unmanned aircraft can fit inside a backpack and is capable of inflicting significant damage.

While humans are often involved in confirming a strike remotely, she said their operating systems are “technologically capable of doing that on its own, and I think that is the big difference.” On paper, switchblade drones can be more precise than many of the weapons used by Russian and Ukrainian forces, such as fire bombs. In a statement earlier this month, the firm said that it stood ready to help Ukraine “win against the Russian military and strategically deter future aggression.” “When they have found the target, [they] launch themselves onto it” — hence the “kamikaze” label. Switchblade drones are cheaper than most U.S. drones, and come in two sizes, according to AeroVironment, the manufacturer. The drones have blade-like wings that emerge when the device is launched.

Will US-made Switchblade 'suicide drones' boost Ukraine’s arsenal? (unknown)

The US is said to be providing Ukraine with lightweight and cutting-edge drones that can fly up to 40 minutes and dive-bomb into their target.

The whole kit - including the payload, launcher, and transport bag - weighs just 2.5 kg. According to manufacturer AeroVironment, the Switchblade 300 can fly for up to 15 minutes and 10 km before striking its target. The Switchblade is basically a single-use drone that’s small enough to fit in a backpack, cruises at around 100 km/h and carries cameras, guidance systems and explosives to dive-bomb into its target.

What to know about the 100 US 'Switchblade' drones heading to Ukraine (unknown)

A U.S. Air Force MQ-1B Predator unmanned aerial vehicle carrying a Hellfire missile lands at a secret air base after flying a mission in the Persian Gulf region ...

Both Switchblades use onboard sensors and GPS to guide them to their targets. The larger Switchblade 600 is effective against armored targets and can fly for more than 40 minutes, but weighs 50 pounds, according to the manufacturer. Unlike larger drones, it's not meant to return after its mission.

U.S. sending Switchblade drones to Ukraine in $800 million package (unknown)

The Switchblade is a small, light drone that can loiter in the air for up to 30 minutes before being directed to its target by an operator on the ground, ...

To further help, there is a push to get Eastern European allies to send new air defense systems to Ukraine that the U.S. doesn’t have. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.This is a modal window. I think that’s probably still a non-starter,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) told POLITICO. “That doesn’t mean we can’t up the amount, do more with equipment and drones and other things that would be just as helpful.” Ukraine has succeeded in defending Kyiv, the capital, and stalling Russia’s advances three weeks after the invasion started. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. “I can say, I have a need. The AT-4 is a lightweight recoilless rifle already used by American special operations forces. Its real-time GPS guidance allows a service member in the field to fly it until the moment it crashes and explodes into whatever the target might be. “I have a dream. An administration official confirmed McCaul’s account that the U.S. is sending the Switchblade. The drone is launched from a tube, like a mortar shell. CNN reported that Slovakia had preliminarily agreed to transfer their S-300s to Ukraine.

Shadowy Switchblade Kamikaze Drones On Their Way To Ukraine (unknown)

Switchblade is a weapon akin to a miniature cruise missile that's favored by U.S. Special Forces and has always been shrouded in secrecy.

The Russian technology is much less mature, but has previously been used in Syria. However, it may be that the U.S. is still cautious about sharing one of its most prized assets — previously Switchblade has only been exported to the U.K., although there have reportedly been many requests from other allies. Switchblade has proven highly successful in combat, but has remained one of the U. S. military’s best-kept secrets. It can hit with sniper-like accuracy from six miles away, and unlike a Javelin or other missiles, it does not give away the firer’s location. It is not known which version will be shipped to Ukraine, though the 300 is undoubtedly more readily available. The weapon was used in Afghanistan against ‘high-value targets’ – a term that usually refers to insurgent leadership. CCLR was aimed at urban combat, with the ability to fly over buildings and around corners to a range of about 10 blocks. The program disappeared for a while after this. And it should be emphasized that it is tiny: The whole system in its launch tube weighs less than six pounds. The Switchblade, sometimes described as a kamikaze drone, has received much less publicity that its two stablemates, but is no less lethal. Unlike a traditional missile, fired at a target visible at launch, the Switchblade cruises over the battlefield for up to 15 minutes, sending back video for the operator to detect, locate and identify targets up to six miles away. It can circle around defenses or can dive vertically to defeat targets in trenches or foxholes, making most forms of cover useless.

U.S. Is Sending Dive-Bombing Switchblade Drones to Ukraine (unknown)

The dive-bombing Switchblade drone, made by AeroVironment Inc., has been in the arsenal of U.S. commandos since it was secretly sent to Afghanistan in 2010 for ...

The dive-bombing Switchblade drone, made by AeroVironment Inc., has been in the arsenal of U. S. commandos since it was secretly sent to Afghanistan in 2010 for use against the Taliban. Army officials have described it as a flying shotgun. The expanded arsenal that the U. S. is sending to Ukraine includes 100 armed drones that are tube-launched from the ground and plunge into their targets, according to people familiar with the plans.