The United States Department of Defense has awarded a $51 million contract to defense technology manufacturer AeroVironment to purchase Switchblade 600 Block 2 kamikaze drones.
The order forms part of a broader five-year, $990 million program called Unmanned Lethal Systems, which was signed in August to secure a constant supply of precision weapons for infantry forces.
AeroVironment, a US technology company specializing in unmanned aerial vehicles, designed the Switchblade series to provide ground troops with immediate precision firepower. The Pentagon decision reflects military confidence in the reliability of loitering munitions following their performance in demanding operational environments.
According to specialized news portal Interesting Engineering, the transaction also includes earlier versions of the drone intended for a key US partner nation through the Foreign Military Sales program.
The defense portal reported that the specific recipient nation was not identified. The Foreign Military Sales system is a government-to-government program through which the United States transfers military equipment and technology to foreign allies.
Switchblade 600 capabilities and deployment
The Switchblade 600 is the heavy, long-range model in the manufacturer loitering munition lineup. Designed for rapid deployment by ground troops, the man-portable system can be set up and launched by a single soldier in under 10 minutes.
Once in the air, the aircraft has a flight endurance exceeding 40 minutes. It can loiter over designated terrain while searching for targets using high-resolution optical sensors.
Loitering munitions, commonly referred to as kamikaze drones, hover over a target area until an operator identifies a threat, combining surveillance capability with a precision warhead in a single platform.
Electronic warfare upgrades in Block 2
The upgraded Block 2 variant incorporates internal technical enhancements. AeroVironment indicated that the new version provides significant updates to counter electronic interference.
In combat scenarios where opposing forces attempt to block communications, the ability of the drone to maintain its heading and execute strikes independently is essential for mission success.
The weapons feature an armour-piercing warhead engineered to penetrate heavy vehicles and reinforced bunkers with millimeter precision.
By striking targets directly at high speed, the drone minimizes collateral damage while guaranteeing threat destruction. Increased manufacturing capacity is expected to ensure a steady supply of smart munitions for the United States Army in coming years.
