2/28/2023 0 Comments Dash 3 pack mini makers![]() ![]() In April 2015, the Marines test-fired a Switchblade out of the back of an MV-22 Osprey. ![]() On 5 September 2013, AeroVironment was awarded a $29 million contract modification to supply Switchblade munitions systems and associated hardware and support services, totaling $51.4 million worth in contracts announced over nine days. One week later, the Pentagon gave the company a follow-on contract worth $6.6 million. On 28 August 2013, AeroVironment announced it had been awarded five contracts totaling $15.8 million to supply more Switchblade systems, ancillary equipment, and support to the Army. Wave off was used over a dozen times to prevent civilian casualties that could have been caused had a person not been in the decision loop. Unlike most other weapons, the Switchblade can wave off or abort a mission if the situation changes after launch, allowing it to engage a secondary target or destroy itself without inflicting casualties or property damage. Soldiers embraced it as a valuable tool, especially to reduce collateral damage. The Army classifies it as a direct fire munition rather than a drone. The Switchblade gained notoriety among soldiers using it and insurgents targeted by it. The number requested was not specified, but was "dramatically more" than the 75 systems initially supplied and exceeded budget limitations. Shortly after, a joint urgent needs statement was requested by the Army theater commanders for more systems. Although the military would not confirm details about its deployment, effectiveness, distribution, or tactical employment, commanders reported that it was "very effective". Several successful employments had occurred by January 2013. In late 2012, 75 Switchblades were supplied to U.S. The Switchblade is small enough to fit in a Marine's ALICE or MOLLE pack and locks onto and tracks a target once selected. Marines sometimes couldn't get support due to other units getting mission priority. Usually when air support is called in, attackers slip away before a large UAV, attack helicopter, fighter-bomber, or quick reaction force can arrive on station. In May 2012, the United States Marine Corps began ordering Switchblades to allow troops to strike improvised explosive device (IED) emplacement teams and similar targets. On 20 March 2012, the Army added $5.1 million, totaling $10 million. Army awarded AeroVironment a $4.9 million contract for "rapid fielding" of an unspecified number of Switchblades to forces in Afghanistan. The backpackable, relatively inexpensive Switchblade has sensors to help spot enemy fighters and an explosive warhead to attack them from above, which is especially helpful in dug-in positions like rooftops or ridge lines. Human-portable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) like the Raven or Puma can spot threats but lack weapons. Troop-carried guided missiles such as the FGM-148 Javelin are also much larger, heavier, and more expensive, and few if any are carried on a typical patrol. Close air support takes time to arrive, is expensive to conduct, and risks collateral damage in urban areas. ![]() troops respond to enemy ambushes in Afghanistan. Army, the Switchblade was meant to help U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), developed by the U.S. More than 700 Switchblade 300 drones were sent to Ukraine by the United States as part of an arms package after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Blackwing, an unarmed variant of the Switchblade 300 was released in 2015. Introduced in 2011, the original Switchblade was rebranded the Switchblade 300 after the much larger and very different Switchblade 600 anti-armor variant was unveiled in 2020. ![]() The name switchblade comes from the way the spring-loaded wings are folded up inside a tube and flip out once released. Small enough to fit in a backpack, the Switchblade launches from a tube, flies to the target area, and crashes into its target while detonating its explosive warhead. The AeroVironment Switchblade is a miniature loitering munition, designed by AeroVironment and used by several branches of the United States military. Portable tube multipack assorted vehicles ![]()
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