US Army places $186 million order for Switchblade loitering munitions

The US Army is busily improving its lethality at all echelons with orders for Switchblade loitering munitions. The latest order with AeroVironment will add both the Switchblade 600 and 300 to the Army’s arsenal. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, editor of Calibre Defence, published on March 3, 2026.

AeroVironment has received a $186 million contract from the US Army for Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munitions. This is the first order of an existing five-year, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Lethal Unmanned Systems. 

The IDIQ contract has a ceiling value of $990 million and was awarded in August 2024, the February 26 press release states. The two loitering munitions are described as “next generation” and deliver “meaningful upgrades in autonomy, resilience, and lethality tailored to today’s operational demands.” The Switchblade family has been in use with the US forces for some years, but this is the first US contract to introduce explosively formed penetrators (EFP). 

An EFP uses the energy of the explosive warhead to turn a metal liner into a supersonic slug. It will often have enough kinetic energy to go through the roof of a tank, and the behind armour effects can be significant. Prior to this, the Switchblade 300 was provided with a blast-fragmentation warhead designed to kill or wound personnel. 

• US Army orders $982 million worth of “Lethal Unmanned Systems” – Calibre Defence 
• AeroVironment secures third US Army contract for Switchblade – Calibre Defence 

The contract appears to build on another awarded in October 2025 to Mistral Inc. Valued at $982 million, the contract covered lethal unmanned systems. Mistral inc appears to be a supplier for the Hero series of loitering munitions but no further details on that deal were provided.

Tech profile: Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20

The Switchblade 600 Block 2 is intended for use against armoured and high-value targets, providing increased operational reach and flexibility. Developed in collaboration with United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), the Block 2 variant is ruggedised for use in maritime and highly contested environments. The system incorporates several technical upgrades over previous iterations:

• Avionics and Targeting: Upgraded avionics and advanced Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) are integrated to assist in the detection, identification, and engagement of targets.
• Communications: The munition utilises Silvus MANET radios to provide resilient communications. This hardware supports distributed operations and allows for extended handoff ranges between operators.
• Navigation: Improvements to the navigation suite and mission resilience protocols allow for employment in GPS-challenged or denied environments.

The Switchblade 300 Block 20 is the latest configuration of the man-portable, backpackable loitering munition system. This version introduces a modular payload capability to the platform and the EFP mentioned above, as well as: 

• Sensor and Interface: The system features updated sensors and an enhanced user interface to improve operator efficiency.
• Range and Precision: The Block 20 includes extended range options, enabling the delivery of precision effects beyond the operator’s line of sight.

Calibre comment: Fragmented battlefields

For some time, military theorists around the world have been predicting fragmented battlefields. Instead of the continuous frontlines that dominated previous wars, they emphasised that battlefields would be fragmented. With units separated by tens or hundreds of metres. Soviet theorists assumed that artillery would fill the gaps between units, but loitering munitions are increasingly seen as an alternative. Additionally, they can give an infantry unit the stand-off it needs to soften an enemy position up before attempting to take it by force. 

The lead image shows a US soldier carrying a Switchblade loitering munition. Credit: AeroVironment.