US Provides Ukraine with 'Tank Killer' Suicide Drones: "100 Switchblade Units Supplied"

2.5kg Small Drone, Capable of Firing One Shot Every 30 Seconds
Destroys Tanks and Armored Vehicles... Secretly Used in IS Repulsion Operations

[Image source=US Marine Corps]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The United States has reportedly decided to provide Ukraine with the 'Switchblade' drone, a small suicide drone used to destroy tanks and armored vehicles, which has been kept secret until now. Due to its light weight, small size, portability, and ease of installation and launch, it is expected to greatly enhance the combat capabilities of the Ukrainian military.

On the 16th (local time), according to the US political media outlet Politico, Congressman Mike McCaul stated in an interview with Politico that "as part of an $800 million weapons aid package to be additionally provided to Ukraine, 100 Switchblade drones will be delivered to Ukraine." Politico reported, citing a senior US government official, that the US government is also preparing to provide these drones to Ukraine.

The Switchblade drone is a small suicide drone ordered by the US Special Operations Command in 2010 from the drone manufacturer AeroVironment, and comes in two versions: the 300 version for anti-personnel attacks and the 600 version for anti-tank attacks.

The drone weighs around 2.5 kg and is designed to be launched from a small tube, making it easy to carry. According to AeroVironment, trained soldiers can launch one drone every 30 seconds. This drone can fly over 80 km for about 40 minutes, is very small and difficult to detect, and has a powerful explosive capability. Besides its explosive use, it can also be used for reconnaissance. If the Switchblade drone is deployed, it is expected to cause greater damage to Russian tank units.

Although it is known that the US military first began using it in 2012, detailed information about its actual combat use and specific performance has not been disclosed until now. According to CNN, the US military used 350 Switchblade drones during the campaign against the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) operating in Iraq and Syria in 2014.