AeroVironment from US unveils its new Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munition.

The American company AeroVironment on March 28, 2023, unveiled the newest version of its Switchblade 300 rapidly deployable loitering missile system. The Switchblade 300 Block 20 builds on Block 10C’s battle-proven performance with new operational features and significant performance and capability improvements.
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Switchblade® 300 Block 20 is the next-generation successor to the combat-proven Switchblade 300, providing the warfighter with a rapidly deployable precision strike missile for engaging beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) with lethal effects. (Picture source AeroVironment)

The Switchblade 300 Block 20 is the next-generation successor to the Switchblade 300. Building on the Switchblade’s battle-proven performance, the Switchblade Block 20 offers enhanced operational features including a high-resolution EO/IR panning camera suite, longer endurance, and a new touchscreen Fire Control System (FCS) allowing the operator to train, plan and execute missions with ease.

“Since pioneering the loitering missile category with Switchblade 300 more than a decade ago, our tactical missile systems have proven to be a game-changing capability for both U.S. and allied forces, providing a remarkably rapid, precise and effective way to address lethal threats,” said Brett Hush, AeroVironment’s vice president and product line general manager of tactical missile systems. “Switchblade 300 Block 20 will continue to build on the system’s battle-proven legacy.”

Weighing just under 2.26 kg (five pounds), this lightweight, precision-guided lethal missile can be deployed in less than two minutes via tube launch from land, sea, or mobile platforms, providing greater mission flexibility. Delivering 20-plus minutes of tactical reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA), the Switchblade 300 Block 20 provides real-time video for use against beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) targets and its open architecture system allows it to interface with external C2 systems. Cursor-on-target GPS coordinates provide situational awareness, information collection, targeting and feature/object recognition, that together deliver the actionable intelligence and precision firepower needed to achieve mission success across multiple domains.