Military Cognizance – Conflict
On the Ukrainian battlefield, the Switchblade UAV scored its first kill.
By admin – April 14, 2022
For the first time, the Ukrainian Army used the American Switchblade UAV on the battlefield, and it exceeded expectations
The Switchblade UAV has not only made its way to the Ukrainian Army, but it is also being used to attack and destroy targets on the battlefield. The US Department of Defense only recently made this information public. Ukraine is said to have received 100 Switchblade 300 attack drones, with the same number of Switchblade 600 UAVs (designed to destroy armored vehicles) being delivered, according to official data. According to the Pentagon, a large number of Switchblade drones have been delivered to Ukraine, but more are on the way. Furthermore, Washington does not rule out the possibility of providing many other types of US-made attack UAVs in the future.
Even so, the US Department of Defense has decided to withhold information about the use of attack drones, citing a security concern about disclosing the specific operation of the Switchblade UAV on the battlefield. The Switchblade is a single-purpose tactical attack drone developed by AeroVironment in the United States, based on the Israeli Harpy and Harop’s success. The light Switchblade 300 and the heavy Switchblade 600 are two different models of this UAV line. Currently, the United States has given Ukraine both versions to use for various purposes.The Switchblade 300 is intended to destroy light armoured vehicles as well as enemy personnel. There is an option for the UAV to attack enemy drones as well.
The UAV is small in size, with a length of 610 mm and a total weight of only 2.7 kg, and it folds easily into a backpack. Switchblade 300 is a mortar-launched aircraft with a range of up to 10 kilometres and a flight time of about 10 minutes. The drone identifies, tracks, and hits the target using digital cameras and GPS. It can also be automated to attack a stationary target with provided coordinates. The Switchblade 300’s warhead is similar to that of a grenade, and it can explode when it hits a target or detonates in the air. The operator has the ability to cancel the attack and reroute the drone. UAV powere