AeroVironment has unveiled another upgrade to its loitering munition Switchblade 300. According to the company's press release, the main change in the combat-proven Switchblade 300 Block 20 is a modular warhead bay fitted with a penetrator core type warhead.
AeroVironment also says the updated platform features an improved sensor suite and a panoramic camera, a touchscreen interface with multiple attack angles, a user-selectable detonation point, and extended range thanks to an added antenna.
Read more: AV Beats Creators of Patriot: Freedom Eagle-1 Outperforms Coyote in Pentagon's Counter-UAV Missile Race
The exact changes to the upgraded munition's performance figures have not been disclosed, but the key improvement is, of course, the warhead, which AeroVironment says increases the junior Switchblade's effectiveness against armored targets.
This upgrade is long-awaited, given that the Switchblade has been in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces since 2022 (the first footage appeared in May) and one of the weapon's main limitations became apparent almost immediately its warhead's power was comparable to a 40 mm grenade launcher round.
Because of that, the younger Switchblade 300 in Ukrainian service became a specialized tool used against unarmored but valuable targets, such as electronic warfare and signals intelligence systems, air-defence equipment, and similar assets. Using it against infantry or trucks was generally inefficient given its scarcity, cost, and the nature of this weapon type.
With the new warhead, the Switchblade 300 offers greater operational flexibility, though it remains an expensive means of attack compared with FPV-style drones.
Earlier, Defense Express reported that Switchblade production rates are not yet very high and that AeroVironment plans to address that issue.
Read more: V2X Unveils the Tempest: Low-Cost Mobile Air Defense System Inspired by Ukraine's Experience
