7 May 2022

Ukraine’s Switchblade Drones Will Be Game Changers for Urban Combat

Kris Osborn

U.S.-supplied Switchblade drones are quickly expanding the Ukrainian military’s ability to launch mini-drone explosives at Russian armored vehicles from behind cover.

The Switchblade, built by AeroVironment, is a battery-powered unmanned aerial vehicle that can carry three pounds worth of explosives. It has cameras and can loiter as a “camera” in the sky to conduct surveillance or descend upon enemy targets and explode as an attack weapon itself.

The Pentagon plans to send 700 Switchblades to Ukraine, roughly 100 of which have already arrived, to support Ukraine’s efforts to destroy approaching Russian armored vehicles. The small mini-drone can function organically within dismounted units and fly to strike distant targets.

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