AUSA 2025: GDLS unveils PERCH to integrate loitering munitions on U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams tank.

General Dynamics Land Systems introduced its new PERCH system at AUSA 2025, a modular canister designed to integrate Switchblade 300 and 600 loitering munitions directly onto the U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams main battle tank.

Washington D.C., United States, October 14, 2025 - At the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2025 exposition in Washington, D.C., General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) unveiled the Precision Effects & Reconnaissance, Canister-Housed (PERCH) system, a breakthrough concept aimed at giving the Army’s M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tanks the ability to launch loitering munitions such as the AeroVironment Switchblade. Designed as a modular, non-invasive integration kit, PERCH mounts to existing hardpoints and interfaces with vehicle power and control systems, allowing tank crews to conduct beyond-line-of-sight reconnaissance and precision strikes without dismounting or relying on external support vehicles.
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PERCH, a loitering munition launcher integrated on a U.S. Army M1A2 Abrams SEPv3, was demonstrated by General Dynamics Land Systems at AUSA 2025, showcasing a new over-the-horizon strike capability without modifying the tank’s structure. (Picture source: GDLS video footage)

What sets PERCH apart from previous concepts is its immediate operational readiness. The system requires no structural modification, no welding, cutting, or redesign, and it integrates seamlessly with the existing onboard electronics of U.S. Army vehicles. Designed for rapid installation and intuitive operation, PERCH allows armored crews to deploy loitering munitions without extensive retraining or disruption to vehicle function.

At its core, PERCH serves as a launch platform for AeroVironment’s Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 loitering munitions. The Switchblade 300 is a lightweight, backpack-portable, tube-launched munition intended for quick-reaction engagements against soft targets. Weighing just over 5 pounds, it offers a loiter time of up to 15 minutes and delivers pinpoint strikes using real-time video and GPS guidance. The Switchblade 600, by contrast, is designed for high-value, armored threats. It features an anti-armor warhead, electro-optical targeting, and a loiter time of up to 40 minutes, providing standoff precision against vehicles and fortifications at ranges exceeding 40 kilometers.

For the U.S. Army’s M1A2 Abrams SEPv3, the introduction of PERCH offers a dramatic extension of tactical engagement range. Traditionally reliant on line-of-sight firepower and external ISR support, the Abrams can now self-deploy aerial munitions for reconnaissance and strike missions without repositioning. This capability allows tank crews to identify, monitor, and eliminate threats hidden behind terrain features or in complex urban environments, long before coming into direct fire range. In contested or GPS-denied environments, the real-time targeting and onboard control also reduce dependency on external communications or unmanned aircraft systems.

Launcher canisters are externally mounted in low-profile configurations adapted for each platform. On the Stryker, canisters are aligned along the upper hull, while on the Abrams SEPv3, mounts are fitted near the turret without impeding traverse. The system uses existing vehicle interfaces and digital displays, allowing operators to launch and guide munitions using familiar controls and reducing the need for additional crew training or dedicated operators.

The PERCH architecture is also designed for growth, with the potential to host additional loitering or electronic warfare payloads in the future. Each module is field-replaceable, with rapid rearming and maintenance support, making it suitable for expeditionary operations and sustained mechanized campaigns.

While the U.S. Army has not publicly disclosed unit-level fielding plans, the unveiling of PERCH signals growing momentum behind integrating organic aerial precision strike into ground combat platforms. With near-peer threats accelerating battlefield tempo and dispersing targets across larger operational areas, systems like PERCH provide armored crews with the tools to detect and destroy before being detected themselves.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.