Soldiers of the russian invasion army have shown a notable unmanned aerial vehicle that fell near Novodonetske in eastern Ukraine, right next to the frontline.
The video features quite an advanced drone with a large stabilized targeting pod with several cameras. Considering the size, one of them is a thermal camera. The other might be a laser sensor for the semi-active guidance system.
Read more: Overview of UAVs the US to Send to Ukraine: ALTIUS-600, Jump 20, Switchblade 600 and CyberLux
Worth noting, the wings and empennage are folding which suggests this UAV takes off from a container-type launch system.
The drone has a three-blade electric motor. The approximate length from head to tail is 3 to 5 feet (1-1.5 meters).
The identification of this UAV is not possible by this footage alone but given the outlined features, it could be the Switchblade 600. If true, this would be the first time this loitering munition is seen on a Ukrainian battlefield.
The concept artworks by the manufacturer depicting this explosive drone showcase a matching hull shape with a wider head where all the electronics are situated and narrower tail sections. The location of the air pressure sensor is the same, as well as the vertical bottom fin – the UAV in the video has it damaged as it crashed into the ground.
Incidentally, the video presentation released in 2022 by Switchblade 600 developer AeroVironment showed this UAV with a three-blade motor, while the earlier concept from 2020 had two blades.
After all, the Switchblade 600 has just entered mass production recently hence the final product may slightly differ from early promo materials and prototypes. The target acquisition camera could also have been changed.
For the mentioned reasons we may assume this video shows one of the episodes of Ukrainian Defense Forces using the Switchblade 600. Although some russian sources already claim this yet unidentified drone was shot down, the soldier in the footage says the UAV came during a thunderstorm. It means alternatively, this aircraft was simply struck by lightning.
On this note, let's recall the specifications of the Switchblade 600: endurance 40 minutes, piloted flight range 40 km, max speed 185 km/h (115 mph). The warhead firepower is identical to FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile. AeroVironment also stated the current production capacity allows for making up to 2,000 such loitering munitions a year, with a perspective to increase the number to 6,000 a year.
Read more: US Reveals the Huge Amount of Switchblade Kamikaze Drones Given to Ukraine
