The US Army has awarded AeroVironment (AV) a $51 million contract for additional Switchblade 600 loitering munitions, including systems intended for an undisclosed allied nation through a foreign military sale.
The order includes Switchblade 600 Block 2 systems for the US Army and Block 1 systems for the unnamed ally. It falls under an existing five-year, $990 million lethal unmanned systems contract awarded to AeroVironment in 2024.
The Switchblade 600 is a long-range loitering munition developed to conduct precision strikes against targets such as armored vehicles. Unlike conventional guided weapons that are launched toward predetermined targets, the system can remain airborne while searching for and selecting an engagement opportunity.
The Block 2 configuration is optimized for multi-domain operations and incorporates upgraded avionics, automatic target recognition, resilient communications, and enhanced navigation capabilities. According to AV, these improvements are intended to strengthen the system’s ability to detect, identify, and engage targets in contested operating environments.
Switchblade Family Expands Its Footprint
AeroVironment’s Switchblade family consists of lightweight, precision-guided loitering munitions that can be deployed from ground, airborne, and maritime platforms.
The larger Switchblade 600 is approximately 1.3 meters (51 inches) long and weighs 15 kilograms (33 pounds). It can reach speeds of up to 185 kilometers per hour (115 mph) and has an endurance exceeding 40 minutes.
The system is also contributing to the Pentagon’s broader push to deploy expendable autonomous weapons at scale. Switchblade systems have been fielded with more than 20 brigade combat teams, while hundreds of US soldiers have received training to operate and employ the system since 2025.
The smaller Switchblade 300 measures about 50 centimeters (20 inches) in length and weighs 3 kilograms (7 pounds). It can reach speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour (99 mph) and remain airborne for more than 20 minutes.
In July, the US State Department approved a potential $80.1 million sale of Switchblade 300 Block 20 systems to Greece. The proposed package includes 350 munitions, 35 fire-control systems, and tactical battery chargers.
