Frontline requirements spur demand for Switchblade
AeroVironment reported on 15 May that it has been awarded a new Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile Systems (LMAMS) contract from the US Army, with deliveries of its single-operator Switchblade loitering munition to begin in September 2020.
The latest $146 million deal includes $76 million for the first year of Switchblade systems procurement awarded by the US Army Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions project office. This is to meet an urgent operational requirement for frontline US forces.
The contract includes two additional one-year options (currently unfunded) that extend the period of performance until April 2023.
AeroVironment was originally selected to meet the LMAMS requirement in June 2011.
The combat-proven Switchblade is backpackable and can be rapidly deployed from ground platforms, including a six-pack launcher.
AeroVironment Tactical Missile Systems senior product line general manager Brett Hush said: ‘We will continue to enhance the capabilities of this battle-proven product, and stand ready with a proven supply chain and customer support system in order to respond effectively to US and allied customers’ needs.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Embraer chalks up another win as Lithuania picks C-390]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Embraer chalks up another win as Lithuania picks C-390
Just this week Portugal signed for a sixth C-390 with the add-on of an option for 10 for other NATO countries. In April, Sweden signed for four and in December last year Slovakia agreed to buy three, while in the same month an undisclosed country agreed to buy two.
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: Poland orders Apache targeting systems and will establish local support facility]()
Paris Air Show 2025: Poland orders Apache targeting systems and will establish local support facility
In 2024, Poland agreed to purchase 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache combat helicopters in a deal worth as much as US$12 billion. The deal included 97 AN/ASQ-170 modernised target acquisition and designation sight/AN/AAR-11 modernised pilot night vision sensors (M-TADS/PNVS).
-
![Paris Air Show 2025: A400M production moved forward as development plans outlined]()
Paris Air Show 2025: A400M production moved forward as development plans outlined
It is more than a decade since the Airbus A400M tactical lift aircraft entered service. More than 130 aircraft are in service around the world with nine countries, while another order has been made by Indonesia. The company is now looking to lower operational costs and increase the number of potential missions.
