AeroVironment wins US Army Switchblade award
AeroVironment has received new orders that will see it supply the Switchblade tactical missile systems, ancillary equipment and support to the US Army. The five orders, valued at a total of $15.8 million, were awarded by the US Army Close Combat Weapons Systems Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO MS).
Switchblade is a tactical missile system designed to provide a rapid, lethal, pinpoint precision strike capability with minimal collateral damage at beyond-line-of-sight ranges. The rapidly deployable, back-packable package weighs six pounds.
AeroVironment will continue its work with ATK to produce and deliver the systems under these orders. The company received the initial contract in August 2012 in support of the US Army’s Rapid Equipping Force (REF).
Roy Minson, senior vice president and general manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, AeroVironment, said: ‘Switchblade is the first smart loitering weapon, giving our troops a new force protection capability that can deliver precision effects kilometres away with in-flight retargeting, target verification and pinpoint delivery, all resulting in little or no collateral effects. AeroVironment and ATK stand ready to deliver more Switchblade systems to protect our troops.’
Tim Conver, chairman and chief executive officer, AeroVironment, added: ‘Adoption of innovative new solutions within the Department of Defense is difficult in today’s budget constrained environment. These follow-on procurements of Switchblade systems demonstrate our customer’s confidence in this unique capability and the persistence required for the successful adoption and deployment of innovative solutions.’
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System (LMAMS) [US Army]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![AI-enhanced combat radios: how to turn comms networks into an EW advantage]()
AI-enhanced combat radios: how to turn comms networks into an EW advantage
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming defence communications, boosting situational awareness and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities across the battlespace. Bittium’s new partnership with MarshallAI will significantly enhance networked technology, turning radios into cutting-edge sensors with a range of applications.
-
![Finding the balance between armour and air defence as UAVs proliferate]()
Finding the balance between armour and air defence as UAVs proliferate
While the growing drone threat has sharpened the focus on air defence solutions, Dr Peter Magill looks at why protected mobility remains crucial.
-
![Saab Barracuda update prioritises drone protection on modern battlefield]()
Saab Barracuda update prioritises drone protection on modern battlefield
Barracuda multispectral camouflage systems have been developed over decades and are designed to conceal a range of infrared and ultraviolet signals as well as reducing detection by radar.
-
![Rheinmetall’s Lynx XM30 to go to “shakedown testing” ahead of its delivery to the US Army]()
Rheinmetall’s Lynx XM30 to go to “shakedown testing” ahead of its delivery to the US Army
The first Lynx XM30 platforms are in the final stages of construction and integration, to be handed over to the US Army in the coming months. Shephard caught up with Rheinmetall to find out more about the programme's progress.
-
![Saab to begin delivering new missile variant for RBS 70 air defence system in 2027]()
Saab to begin delivering new missile variant for RBS 70 air defence system in 2027
The Bolide 2 missile has a larger warhead than the original version as well as an aluminium nose cone, which replaces a copper version and allows for more explosive content and fragments.
