Switchblade drones have revolutionized the United States’ arsenal for modern reconnaissance amid evolving 21st-century warfare. They enable the military to survey uncharted enemy territories and strike targets with precision.
Defined as miniature loitering munitions, Switchblade drones have been in the spotlight over the past few years due to the federal government’s delivery of these drones as military aid to Ukraine. These loitering munitions were pivotal in equipping Ukrainian soldiers with aerial support to fend off attacks from Russia.
Uncover the role of Switchblade drones in modern reconnaissance, which has been demonstrated in many battlefields across the globe.
What is a Switchblade Drone?
A Switchblade drone is a miniature loitering munition primarily used by the Air Force and the Marine Corps. It combines a drone’s and guided missiles‘ capabilities to create a hybrid platform that enables persistent reconnaissance and precision strikes for targets of interest.
As both a loitering scout and a tactical system, Switchable drones are designed to be lightweight and collapsible. They are small enough to fit inside the backpacks of infantry soldiers, allowing them to easily carry and deploy the weapons immediately when needed.
History of Switchblade Drones
The roots of a switchblade drone can be traced to the War in Afghanistan. Between 2000 and early 2010, American forces struggled with their operations because of the country’s rough terrain; Afghanistan was dotted with high mountains and steep hills, making it hard for American forces to execute advances.
Although the U.S. was armed with state-of-the-art airplanes and helicopters, it proved easy to ambush despite its air superiority. By the time a backup was called for support in cases of ambush, the operation was already compromised.
Switchblade drones offered a solution for this challenge. Soldiers on the ground had powerful missiles in their backpacks, which gave them enough firepower to fend off attacks and critical time to call for more airpower support.
Development of Switchblade Drones
AeroVironment is the designer, developer, and manufacturer of Switchblade drones.
They were initially created in 2004 as scouting tools that could be launched from a 105mm mortar barrel. The drone prototypes should enable the artillery team to conduct damage assessments in the area of the attacks without sending personnel on the ground.
While this concept didn’t push through, it became the basis for the tube-launched drone on which the Switchblade is based. AeroVironment pitched this idea to the Air Force Special Operations, which initially funded the program in 2006.
Since securing funding, many defense departments have ordered AeroVironment’s Switchblade drones, including the Army, Marine Corps, Special Operations Command, and Naval Special Warfare Command.
Features of Switchblade Drones
In a nutshell, Switchblade is a drone with attack capabilities. It is considered the pinnacle of loitering munitions of the U.S. Armed Forces as it provided another angle on how they could counterattack during ambushes.
The features of the Switchblade drones as loitering munitions are categorized into two functions: reconnaissance and attack.
Reconnaissance
Switchblades’ flying camera robot is the backbone of the weapon’s reconnaissance capabilities. While in its loitering mode, the camera enables persistent high-resolution battlefield surveillance for targets and sends real-time video feeds to human operators.
Compared to its predecessor loitering munitions, Switchblade has advanced sensors for improved autonomy and longer loitering periods. These systems improve the weapon’s capabilities as a reconnaissance tool and as an attack drone.
Attack
As an attack drone, Switchblade contains all-electric explosives inside its components. It works hand in hand with the reconnaissance functions to find nearby enemies and attack swiftly once the target has been identified.
Unlike other drones that launch missiles against enemies, Switchblade drones propel themselves directly toward the target at very high speeds. For this reason, the drones are also called “kamikaze drones” because they explode at contact. Once Switchblades blow up, they can’t be recovered or used again.
Variants of Switchblade Drones
AeroVironment has developed two primary variants of Switchblade drones: Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600. Both drones can fit inside a backpack and be carried by one person only. They do the same thing: loiter and attack.
Under the primary variants are several sub-variants. Here are the different variants of AeroVironment’s Switchblade drones.
Switchblade 300 Block 10C
Switchblade 300 Block 10C is one of the first-generation Switchblade 300 drones. It is equipped with an electric motor propeller, a warhead with the power of a 40mm grenade, daytime color and infrared cameras, and a GPS locator.
Moreover, Switchblade 300 Block 10C is equipped with a Digital Data Link (DDL) to reduce the likelihood of signal interceptions, a Multi-Pack Launcher (MPL) to launch multiple drones at once, and an “Aided Target Tracker” to lock in on moving targets.
- Length: 2ft (610mm), including its carrying case and the launcher
- Weight: 6lb (2.7kg), including its carrying case and the launcher
- Flight time/ Loitering period: 10 minutes
- Control range: 6.2mi (10km)
- Speed: Up to 85 knots (98 mph; 157 km/h)
Switchblade 300 Block 20
Switchblade 300 Block 20 is the next-generation drone under Switchblade 300. It sports a longer DDL range with an improved EO/IR panning camera suite to provide higher-quality real-time video feeds.
Most of this new-generation loitering munition features are built on the Switchblade 300 Block 10C, albeit with improvements in send-back intelligence, such as cursor-on-target GPS coordinates of targets.
- Weight: 4lb (2kg), including payload, launcher, and transport bag
- Launch/ Deployment time: 2 minutes
- Range: 30km (with extended range antenna)
- Flight time: 20 minutes
- Speed: 63 mph (101 km/h) for loitering; 100 mph (161 km/h) for sprinting
Blackwing
Blackwing is the unarmed variant of Switchblade 300. It was initially demonstrated by AeroVironment in 2015 to provide the Navy with rapid ISR and command and control relay operations. Blackwing is fitted to be deployable from a submerged submarine, surface ship, and mobile ground launcher.
The key feature of Blackwing’s design is adaptability. It has a built-in secure DDL, advanced electro-optical and infrared sensors, and a modular payload bay. Most of all, Blackwing has a small and quiet motor, making it more difficult to detect even at close range.
- Wingspan: 27in (68.6cm)
- Length: 19.5in (49.5cm)
- Diameter: 3in (7.62cm)
- Weight: 4lb
Switchblade 600
Switchblade 600 represents AeroVironment’s advanced loitering munitions. It is a significant upgrade from Switchblade 300, offering longer loitering periods, farther distances, and more advanced reconnaissance and attack capabilities.
Developed as an all-in-one man-portable solution, Switchblade 600 achieves the record-breaking feat of setting up to be operational in less than 10 minutes. High-resolution EO/IR gimbal sensors and advanced precision flight control are enabling this undertaking.
- Weight: 33lbs (15kg)
- Launch/ Deployment time: 10 minutes
- Range: 24.9+ mi (40+ km); 56+ mi (90+ km) w/ Forward Pass
- Flight time: 40 minutes
- Speed: 70 mph (113 km/h) for loitering; 115 mph (185 km/h) for sprinting
The Role of Switchblade Drones in Modern Reconnaissance
Since their initial deployment for the War in Afghanistan, Switchblades have played a pivotal role in major global conflicts. From 2014 to 2021, the loitering munitions were used against militant groups in the American-led intervention in Iraq. Most recently, Ukraine used these drones to stall the advances of Russia in its territory.
Undoubtedly, Switchblade drones have been a key player in modern conflicts and, in the long shot, have shaped the world we know of today. For this reason, many global powers have secured and have been eyeing to own these loitering munitions.
Aside from the United States Armed Forces, the British Armed Forces and the Ukrainian Armed Forces own Switchblades. Meanwhile, the French Armed Forces and the Lithuanian Armed Forces have already placed their orders and will soon be operators of these drones.
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