AeroVironment launches Mayhem 10, a new long-range loitering munition

Defence customers around the world are pushing for extended reach in their arsenals. When it comes to loitering munitions, systems like Mayhem 10 from AeroVironment join a growing field of weapons with ranges up to 100 km.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, editor of Calibre Defence, published on April 20, 2026.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) has released details of Mayhem 10, a new long-range loitering munition in an April 15 press release. Expanding on the company’s Switchblade family, Mayhem 10 brings a range of 100 km as well as an interchangeable payload.

This means that rather than performing purely strike missions, it can be used to conduct electronic warfare, ISR, and as a communications relay. In addition, it is designed to be launched from any domain, including the air.

The latter is clearly something of interest to the US, which has been testing launched effects with Anduril 2020. Under that line of effort, various drones and munitions have been integrated onto helicopters and fired.

Like others in the field, Mayhem 10 is designed to be modular. With a 4.5 kg payload, it can integrate AeroVironment and third-party systems into its design. In addition, it is designed to fly in a swarm using AV Halo™ COMMAND interface, the press release states.

It comes complete with an AI-enabled processor, M-Code GPS and a Silvus datalink. It can form part of a MANET mesh network with a link range of 25-40 km, the press release adds. M-Code and Silvus are designed to be more resilient to jamming and deception. Together, the systems should make the Mayhem 10 more survivable in areas saturated with adversary jammers. Of course, this does not guarantee survival of the munition, but it does make the low-hanging fruit of GPS denial less productive.

Calibre comment: The market for long-range loitering munitions

The Mayhem 10 joins many other loitering munitions that provide ranges up to 100 km. Helsing with its HX-2 and Stark with the One Way Effector, and the Altius 700M from Anduril all provide reach up to or more than that figure. Russia has a strong hand in this field too, with its Lancet-3 family reaching out to 70 km, and the recently announced Kub-10ME offering up to 100 km.

Loitering munitions with this type of range offer something unique, which is tactical precision strike capabilities. They are relevant throughout the depth that a brigade or division would be expected to fight and come without the costs and signature of rocket or air-delivered munitions. However, there are downsides that are important to note. The effects of electronic warfare can be significant. Weather – especially strong winds – can easily blow loitering munitions off-course. They are also slow, much slower than a rocket or air-launched missile. This means they can be shot down and may struggle with rudimentary defences like netting.

Nevertheless, they do represent a growing and healthy market. And, as long as their strengths and weaknesses are properly understood, they can be a valuable addition to a force’s strike capabilities.

The lead image shows a concept rendering of the Mayhem 10. Credit: AeroVironment.