Blast33
Posts: 404
Joined: 12/31/2018 From: Above and beyond Status: offline
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<type>ADD</type> <summary>Add Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600</summary> <detail>The US has purchased the Switchblade 300 and 600. Please also add the Multipack launcher; see evidence MPL_Datasheet_07122021.pdf “The Switchblade 300 is a lightweight, organic, beyond line-of-sight precision guided weapon,” Brett Hush, Senior General Manager, Product Line Management of AeroVironment Tactical Missile Systems business adds. Its military avionics, GPS/INS and E/O – IR sensor suite are the same fitted to the Blackwing ISR submarine launched system, allowing economy of scale. Targeting optics include dual front and side looking E/O cameras and one IR nose camera with stabilized electronic pan-tilt-zoom. A secure digital data link ensures two-way communications between the air vehicle and the operator, the Switchblade 300 being fitted with a precision effects munition payload, with directional precision engagement, ensuring low collateral damages. This is provided by Northrop Grumman (formerly Orbital ATK), and has the size of a 40 mm grenade warhead, mostly aimed at antipersonnel engagements and also effective against soft-skinned vehicles. A soldier oriented system, fully manportable, the overall weight of the munition including the launch tube is 2.5 kg, and three such munitions can be hosted in a rucksack. From the stored position, it takes less than two minutes to deploy and launch the Switchblade 300; this, together with the over 100 km/h cruise speed and the 160 km/h dash speed allow it to reach the maximum range, 10 km, in less than 6 minutes, to acquire, identify and engage high volatility targets. Considering the 15 minutes endurance, this gives time to loiter over the target, and eventually acquire a different one should the first attack be waved off, something that can be done until few seconds before detonation, according to AeroVironment officials. The Switchblade 300 can receive target data from other systems, i.e. AeroVironment Wasp, Raven or Puma UAS; once the UAS operator has positively identified the target, its grids are automatically transferred to the loitering munition via machine-to-machine interface, reducing transfer time and with no chance of error. Once the engagement completed, the UAS can provide battle damage assessment </detail> <evidence> https://www.flightglobal.com/military-uavs/us-special-ops-buys-aerovironments-anti-armour-switchblade-600-loitering-munition/143483.article https://www.army-technology.com/news/aerovironment-switchblade-300-systems-us-army/ https://www.avinc.com/images/uploads/product_docs/201215_AV_Product_Catalog_R09.pdf https://www.edrmagazine.eu/switchblade-300-the-combat-proven-munition https://www.avinc.com/images/uploads/product_docs/MPL_Datasheet_07122021.pdf </evidence>
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