AeroVironment has secured a $186m delivery order from the US Army for its Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20 explosively formed penetrator (EFP) loitering munition systems.
The order comes under the Army’s five-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS).
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Awarded in August 2024, the IDIQ contract has a maximum value of $990m.
This marks the Army’s initial procurement of AeroVironment’s updated Switchblade product line and represents the first time the service has ordered Switchblade systems equipped with an EFP payload, aimed at increasing effectiveness against armoured targets.
The Switchblade 600 Block 2, developed in partnership with US Special Operations Command (SOCOM), features enhanced avionics, advanced Automatic Target Recognition, and improved communications through Silvus MANET radios to enable distributed operations and extended handoff ranges.
The system is designed for various operating environments, including maritime settings and areas where GPS access may be limited.
Switchblade 300 Block 20 brings in modular payload capability to the established platform, incorporating an EFP payload for heightened lethality against armoured threats.
Additional updates include improved sensors, a refined user interface, and extended range options to deliver precision effects beyond visual range.
According to AeroVironment, the new systems offer the US Army a range of precision loitering munitions, from lightweight systems for individual operators to longer-endurance options for various operational requirements.
These systems are intended for use across different unit levels and mission types.
AeroVironment loitering munitions senior vice president Brian Young said: “This delivery order reflects the Army’s confidence in the next evolution of the Switchblade family and its relevance to modern, contested battlefields.
“Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20 build on years of combat experience while delivering meaningful upgrades in autonomy, resilience, and lethality tailored to today’s operational demands.”
