US Army orders more Switchblades
Switchblade 300 is deployed via tube-launch from land, sea, mobile or air platforms. (Photo: AeroVironment)
A $20.6 million deal is the latest order from the US Army for Switchblades, dating back to 2011.
AeroVironment is to supply the US Army with an undisclosed quantity of extra Switchblade 300 loitering munitions under a new $20.6 million contract.
The firm-fixed-price deal from the US Army Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions Project Office was awarded in mid-August but it was only publicly acknowledged on 22 September.
The Switchblade 300s are scheduled to be delivered to the US Army by July 2023.
AeroVironment has supplied Switchblade 300s to the US Army since 2011 under the long-standing Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile Systems programme.
A DoD contract in March 2021 awarded a two-year option deal worth $44.96 million to AeroVironment for additional Switchblade units. This contract value accounts for units for both the US Army and the UK.
Shephard Defence Insight estimates that US Army was procuring 490 Switchblade 300 units in this earlier contract.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System (LMAMS) [US Army]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![What might next-generation military aircrew training look like?]()
What might next-generation military aircrew training look like?
Changing roles for combat aircraft fleets, the rise of simulation and LVC technologies, and the increasing cost of flight hours could all be leading to a paradigm shift in military pilot training.
-
![2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate]()
2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate
This year’s (geo)political turmoil has challenged many long-prevailing assumptions, leading to far-reaching consequences for air forces and their supplier bases in industry worldwide – with five key trends in review for 2025.
-
![Poland air report: Drones, transport aircraft and tankers dominate potential procurement plans]()
Poland air report: Drones, transport aircraft and tankers dominate potential procurement plans
With a rising defence budget and equipment list, Poland’s air market is set to grow as the country continues to modernise its transport and helicopter fleets while seeking out uncrewed aerial vehicles and loitering munitions.
-
![Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line]()
Portugal signals interest in establishing A-29N final assembly line
As the launch customer for the NATO-configured variant, Portugal also took delivery of the first five A-29N aircraft from its order for 12, placed in 2024.
-
![Podcast: Critical Care episode 5 - Sustaining Europe’s frontline from Heidelberg]()
Podcast: Critical Care episode 5 - Sustaining Europe’s frontline from Heidelberg
As Europe ramps up defence investment in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, the spotlight is turning to how nations sustain their growing fleets.
