We’re starting a series of infographics “Weapons of Victory” – about the latest types of weapons that came to Ukraine from our foreign partners, approaching our victory over Russia. Today we are talking about the American kamikaze drones Switchblade.

Kamikaze drones of this brand were spoken in Ukraine in the early days of the war. Military experts and authoritative scholars such as Volodymyr Horbulin saw a need for them. And on March 13, 2022, it was announced that US President Joe Biden will sign a law to provide Ukraine with another package of armed aid estimated at a total of $800 million, which will include Switchblade, 100 of the same kamikaze drones. On April 13, the United States provided Ukraine with an additional $800 million in defense assistance, including 300 Switchblade kamikaze aircraft. On April 21, US President Joe Biden announced the allocation of a new $800 million military aid package to Ukraine, including the 121 Phoenix Ghost tactical aircraft, very similar to the Switchblade, and designed specifically for Kyiv in the United States.

What have we already bought?

We know about 100 kamikaze drone Switchblade Ukraine delivered to Ukraine on April 13, 2022.

what a drone

– A family of small kamikaze drones developed by the American company AeroVironment.

– According to open data, there are two versions of smart ammunition: Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600.

– they can be both a reconnaissance and an effective weapon for the destruction of the enemy – manpower, equipment and engineering structures.

What are the benefits:

– Easy access;

– simplicity and speed of learning calculations;

– the drone is launched from a pipe like a mortar shell,

– Real-time GPS guidance allows you to control it in the field until it hits the target and explodes,

– the instrument is powered by an electric motor, therefore it has a quiet flight,

– small size makes the enemy extremely difficult to detect and try to block,

– uses “assist tracking” as well as day and infrared cameras to target stationary and moving enemy objects,

– rather low price – $ 6000.

Specifications:

Switchblade 300

– weight: 2.5 kg

– range: 10 km

– flight time: 15 minutes

– flight altitude: 150-4500 m

– cruising speed: 100 km/h

– maximum speed: 157 km/h

Switchblade 600

– weight: 54.4 kg

– range: 40 km

– flight time: 40 minutes

– flight altitude: 150-4500 m

– cruising speed: 110 km/h

– maximum speed: 185 km/h

How many days do you need to work:

– a day or two.

Important for Ukraine:

– this new weapon can be very important for us for the destruction of armored vehicles and artillery emplacements.

Resources:

1) Ukrinform

Weekly decisions, daily supply: weapons from the United States and its allies as a factor in victory

States to deliver kamikaze drones to Ukraine

2nd) “Ukrainian Military Center”

Ukraine will receive an anti-tank version of the Switchblade 600 UAV

Pentagon: Switchblade kamikaze drones are already in Ukraine

3) Root-Nation.com

Switchblade: American kamikaze drones to protect Ukraine