Large-caliber – US sends even more powerful kamikaze drones to Kiev

Such systems, known in military jargon as ‘Loitering Munition’, have been in use in Ukraine for six months. The US has equipped the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the Switchblade 300 and Phoenix Ghost models. On the Russian side, kamikaze drones made from Kalashnikov are in use. Already promised at the start of the war, Ukraine should now have another model from the US available in a few weeks.

It is the Switchblade 600 from the American manufacturer AeroVironment. This model offers more range, flight time and explosive power than the previously used kamikaze drones. As the US news portal “Defense News” reports, the drones were promised five months ago. However, the delivery was delayed. An official research and development contract for ten units is now looming. According to the Pentagon, the deal must be sealed within 30 days.

Switchblade 600 carries 30lb explosive charge
The Switchblade 600 is more powerful than the 300 version already in service with the Ukrainian armed forces. While the Switchblade 300 weighs 2.5 kilos and offers a range of 10 kilometers and a flight time of 15 minutes, the Switchblade 600 weighs approximately 54 kilos and has a range of 40 kilometers and a flight time of 40 minutes.

Size comparison of AeroVironment drone systems (mouse over dots or tap for details):

The manufacturer advertises the system with an explosive payload of 13.6 kilograms and a cruising speed of 110 kilometers per hour as very effective against armored vehicles – this is where smaller models reach their limits. For example, the Switchblade 600 could attack Russian armored artillery, which smaller models pose little threat to.

In the battle for Ukraine, both sides to the conflict rely extensively on drones, with thousands deployed in the disputed areas. Samuel Bendett of the American think tank Center for Naval Analyzes (CNA) assumes that a large part are kamikaze drones and play an important role in the strategy of both warring parties. “The Switchblade’s capabilities could be useful as the Ukrainians prepare their attack on Kherson and Crimea, as they could be launched beyond the range of Russian systems and damage Russian infrastructure.”

Fighting and Reconnaissance Missions in One
According to Bendett, kamikaze drones could be a response to Russia’s burgeoning anti-aircraft defenses and electronic warfare. Small scouts, often commercial short-range models, should be launched near Russian positions. While scouting, the Russians locate the pilots and launch counter-attacks. Kamikaze drones that simultaneously spot and attack and have a longer range than commercial models reduce the risk to the operational crews.

For the time being, it remains unclear when exactly the heavy kamikaze drones – initially ten – will arrive in Ukraine. The US government in Kiev promised the Switchblade 600 five months ago, but there were delays. A Pentagon spokesperson says the background to this is that, unlike its little brother, the Switchblade 300, the model was still in the prototype stage. The delivery date will now be determined once the development contract has been signed.