The US Army orders "Switchblade" kamikaze drones for 186 million dollars

The U.S. Army takes a new and significant step towards modernizing its precision strike capabilities by announcing an order of 186 million dollars for Switchblade family kamikaze drones. The contract, awarded to the American company AeroVironment, involves the large-scale supply of loitering munitions intended to operate in modern high-intensity combat scenarios.

Between FPV drone and guided missile

The Switchblade systems fall into the category of loitering munitions, unmanned platforms that combine features of FPV drones and guided missiles. Often referred to as “kamikaze drones” or “one-way attack drones,” these systems are capable of loitering over the target, identifying it, and striking it with precision on the operator's command, exploding on impact.

Two variants for different missions

The U.S. Army order includes two advanced versions of the system:

• Switchblade 600 Block 2
  Developed in collaboration with the U.S. Special Operations Command, it is designed to operate in remote and hostile environments, including maritime contexts. The Block 2 version integrates advanced Artificial Intelligence capabilities, allowing for faster target identification and acquisition, increasing effectiveness against high-value targets, including armored vehicles.
• Switchblade 300 Block 20
  Designed for use by small units, it is compact enough to be carried in a backpack. In this supply, the Army has requested it for the first time with an EFP (Explosively Formed Penetrator) warhead, specifically designed to enhance penetration capability against armored vehicles, earning it the nickname tank killer.

Operational tests and Army confidence

As early as last October, soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division tested the Switchblade 600 system at Fort Hood, confirming its operational suitability in realistic scenarios.

According to Brian Young, Senior Vice President of Loitering Munitions at AeroVironment, the order “reflects the Army's confidence in the new evolution of the Switchblade family and its relevance to modern and contested battlefields.”

Towards the battlefields of the future

The 186 million dollar investment confirms the central role of loitering munitions in contemporary military doctrines. Systems like the Switchblade offer tactical flexibility, rapid deployment, and precision, reducing direct exposure of soldiers and expanding engagement capabilities against armored threats and sensitive targets.

With the expansion of production capacity and the acceleration of deliveries, AeroVironment is preparing to meet not only the needs of the U.S. Army but also the growing demand from allied armed forces, in a strategic context increasingly characterized by high-tech conflicts.