Image: AeroVironment ©
AeroVironment, Inc. (AV) has received a $51 million delivery order from the United States Army for additional Switchblade 600 Block 2 loitering munition systems, as per a recent press statement. The order also covers Switchblade 600 Block 1 systems destined for a key U.S. ally under a Foreign Military Sale.
The Army placed the order under its existing five-year, $990 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS), first issued in August 2024. It builds on the Army’s initial order for the next-generation Switchblade line and highlights sustained demand for AV’s long-range precision strike systems.
Brian Young, Senior Vice President of Loitering Munitions at AV, commented: “Continued investment by the U.S. Army in Switchblade 600 Block 2 reflects both the growing demand for long-range, precision loitering munitions and the proven reliability of the Switchblade family in demanding operational environments.” He added: “As we expand our manufacturing capacity and accelerate delivery timelines, we’re ensuring that U.S. soldiers have reliable, combat-proven loitering munitions.”
Since 2025, more than 20 brigade combat teams have fielded Switchblade 600, with hundreds of soldiers trained on its operation.
Developed with United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Block 2 is ruggedised for maritime and contested environments. It features upgraded avionics and automatic target recognition, including SPOTR AiTR, alongside Silvus MANET radios for resilient communications. Improved navigation supports operations in GPS-challenged conditions, giving commanders greater reach against armoured and high-value targets.
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