AeroVironment Switchblade 600

The AeroVironment Switchblade 600 is a small, loitering‑munitions UAV developed by AeroVironment, a company known for pioneering lightweight unmanned systems since the 1970s. Initiated in 2015 as a follow‑on to the original Switchblade 300, the 600 version entered production in 2019 and was fielded by U.S. Special Operations Forces in 2020. Weighing roughly 12 pounds and featuring a wingspan of 6.5 feet, the Switchblade 600 combines the portability of a hand‑launched glide‑weapon with a longer endurance and greater payload capacity. Its 30‑minute loiter time, 40‑kilometer operational radius, and precision‑guided warhead—capable of engaging both personnel and light vehicles—make it a versatile asset in contested environments. The system incorporates an integrated autopilot, GPS/INS navigation, and a two‑way data link that allows operators to command the UAV in real time or set an autonomous “fire‑and‑forget” mission profile. By delivering a cost‑effective, rapidly deployable strike capability, the Switchblade 600 has reshaped the tactical role of loitering munitions, bridging the gap between traditional artillery and larger, man‑ned attack aircraft. Its success has spurred interest in next‑generation swarm and hybrid‑propulsion concepts across the defense aviation sector.

AeroVironment

AeroVironment Switchblade 600

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