Closed Huib18 closed 1 year ago
tbrandon517
commented
2 years ago Additional Sources for Switchblade and Launch Platforms
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AeroVironment_Switchblade https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42755/new-tracked-unmanned-vehicle-bristles-with-a-whopping-50-switchblade-suicide-drones https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/42465/kratos-new-airwolf-combat-drone-has-launched-a-switchblade-loitering-munition-in-flight
nkocevar
commented
2 years ago We may want to add Ukraine as an operating country, as the US has begun shipping them over in "Security Assistance Packages"... I'm actually planning on using these in my split Ukraine scenario!
It looks like both the Switchblade 300 & 600 have been sent to Ukraine, with both being sent in the hundreds at this point:
Evidence 1: https://www.cnet.com/news/us-military-sends-another-600-switchblade-drones-to-ukraine/ Evidence 2: https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/04/switchblade-the-drone-ukraine-is-using-to-strike-russia-in-ukraine/ Evidence 3: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/us-is-training-ukrainians-to-use-their-new-switchblade-drones-discussing-fuel-needs-pentagon-says/ar-AAVXkjk?ocid=uxbndlbing
Huib18
commented
2 years ago Extra info about flight heights: Switchblade 300: 150m Switchblade 600: 198m
Jkryos
commented
1 year ago Added DB3K 498(?)
DB Selector
DB3K
Baseline
No response
Hypothetical
No
Name
Switchblade 600 loitering munition
Country
United States
Service
Army & USSOCOM
In Commission
2021
Length (m)
1.3
Wingspan (m)
1.8
Height (m)
unkown
Empty Weight (kg)
14.97kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) (kg)
22.7
Payload Weight (kg)
N/A
Crew
Unmanned
Propulsion
Electric
Rate of Climb (ft/min)
unknown
Service Ceiling (ft)
operating alt >500 ft AGL (max ceiling >15,000 ft MSL)
Military/Afterburner Speed (kt)
100 kts dash speed
Cruise Speed (kt)
61kts
Supercruise
No
Ferry Range (nm)
80km
Endurance (min)
40+ min
Takeoff / Landing Distance (m)
Tube launched, recovery possibli
Fuel Capacity (kg)
unknown
Sensors
2 axis-4 sensor gimbal EO/IR GPS
A target lock-on capability enables day/night precision engagement of non-line-of-sight hardened static and moving armour targets. Other features include automatic target recognition, selectable attack angle options, a patented wave-off/recommit capability
Mounts
A multipurpose/anti-armour warhead, derived from the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missile, equipped with a height of burst sensor. for light armor and anti-personnel or small boats or radars.
Loadout Options
No loadouts
Comms/Datalinks
Secure, encrypted M1/2/5 pocket digital data link (pDDL) Line-of-sight.
Tech data from: https://www.avinc.com/images/uploads/product_docs/DDL_FutureState_Datasheet_05222020.pdf This is possibly M1@20 GHz, M2@24 GHz, M3@28 GHz from :https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/20/7187/pdf
Commslink is dependend of used antenna. https://www.avinc.com/uas/network-connectivity/antennas.
If a situation causes a strike to be called off, the operator can call off the Switchblade and re-target it. The operator the opportunity to wave off until four seconds from impact.
Aircraft Codes
Bombsight - Advanced Navigation (INS/GPS)
Comments
Operational in less than 10 minutes.
AeroVironment will integrate its Switchblade 600 loitering missile system onto US Naval Special Warfare (NSW) combatant craft under a USD26.1 million contract awarded by the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
Announced by the company on 27 April, the contract will address a requirement for a Maritime Precision Engagement (MPE) capability to defeat asymmetric threats on land and at sea. Both the 18.2 m Combatant Craft Medium (CCM) and the 24.3 m Combatant Craft Heavy (CCH) have been identified as potential host platforms for the MPE capability. https://www.thefifthcolumn.xyz/forum/land-warfare/654-loitering-munitions-and-low-level-swarms#post698
The weight of the overall system, including the SB600, the launcher and the Fire Control System, made of the tablet and the long-range antenna, is 54.4 kg. https://www.edrmagazine.eu/switchblade-600-the-new-medium-range-loitering-munition.
Switchblade 600 to transit up to 50 miles (80 kilometers) to a target area before conducting multiple confirmatory orbits, and engage in target prosecution – without the need for external ISR or fire assets. https://defense-update.com/20210427_switchblade-600.html
The Switchblade 600 can be launched from the ground as well as from air or ground platforms. https://www.edrmagazine.eu/switchblade-600-the-new-medium-range-loitering-munition
Sources
https://www.edrmagazine.eu/switchblade-600-the-new-medium-range-loitering-munition https://www.avinc.com/tms/switchblade-600 https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211104005095/en/AeroVironment-Awarded-20.3-Million-Switchblade-600-Tactical-Missile-Systems-Hardware-Contract-by-U.S.-Special-Operations-Command https://defense-update.com/20210427_switchblade-600.html https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/switchblade-600-loitering-missile-to-equip-us-naval-special-warfare-craft
Vids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBNayBINEBc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN2HN6ra4nw
More tech data on loitering munitions, maybe handy for other oncoming DB entries: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221491472100146X