AeroVironment Switchblade 300
AeroVironment · United States · first flew 2012 · fighter
The AeroVironment Switchblade 300 is a man-portable, tube-launched loitering munition designed for precision strikes against personnel and light vehicles. After tube launch, its wings fold out and it can loiter before diving onto a target.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 0.495 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Man-portable tube-launched loitering munition
- Foldable wings deploy after launch
- Designed for precision anti-personnel strikes
Extremely small tube-launched drone with fold-out wings; the provided dimensions of 49.5 m length and 68.6 m wingspan are clearly corrupt — actual length is approximately 0.61 m, wingspan 0.69 m.
Specifications
- The AeroVironment Switchblade 300 has a length of 0.495 m (2 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 0.69 m (2 ft).
- Typical crew: 0.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by AeroVironment and entering service around 2012, the Switchblade 300 was fielded by US Special Operations Forces. It gained global attention when supplied to Ukraine after the 2022 Russian invasion.
Variants
The Switchblade 600 is a larger variant designed to engage armoured vehicles; the 300 remains the infantry-portable variant.
Where you'll see it
Operated by US forces and allies; supplied to Ukraine in significant numbers from 2022 onward.
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