New US Switchblade 300 Block 20 Loitering Munition Now Operates in Electronic Warfare Environments.

The US company AeroVironment developed the Switchblade 300 Block 20 as an upgraded version of the original Switchblade 300 loitering munition, with improved endurance, precision, resistance to electronic jamming and targeting capabilities. It remains portable, can be launched from a tube, and is designed for precision strikes on soft targets. The Block 20 includes advancements in targeting and situational awareness for use in modern combat operations.
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AeroVironment has developed the Block 20 version of the Switchblade 300 loitering munition to improve resistance to electronic jamming and enhance operator training. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The AeroVironment Switchblade 300 was introduced in 2011 as a portable loitering munition designed to provide U.S. troops with responsive close air support, particularly during operations in Afghanistan. Its small, tube-launched design allows it to be guided toward targets with reduced risk of collateral damage, and it can be remotely aborted if necessary. The Switchblade 300 was widely deployed in Afghanistan and was supplied to Ukraine in 2022 for use against soft targets such as personnel carriers and trenches. However, on the Ukrainian battlefield, its effectiveness has been reduced due to electronic warfare challenges.

To address these challenges, AeroVironment developed the Switchblade 300 Block 20, a version with enhanced resistance to electronic jamming and improved operator training. Despite these upgrades, the U.S. Army decided in 2023 not to purchase additional units of the Switchblade 300, citing cost inefficiencies compared to commercially available drones. At the same time, the larger Switchblade 600, capable of targeting armored vehicles, has been ordered as part of the Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program, reflecting a shift in focus toward more advanced loitering munitions for company-level operations.

The Switchblade 300 Block 20 extends the operational capabilities of its predecessor. It offers increased flight time, up to 20 minutes, and incorporates a panning electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera suite for continuous target identification. The Block 20 can be launched from land, sea, and mobile platforms and can be deployed in under two minutes. The Block 20 version also includes an upgraded Digital Data Link (DDL), enabling secure, encrypted communications that reduce the risk of signal interception, allow for simultaneous operation of multiple Switchblade systems, and support extended-range operations through integration with other UAVs.

Additionally, the Switchblade 300 Block 20 introduces a Multi-Pack Launcher (MPL), which can remotely launch multiple units in configurations from 2 to 20 rounds, with reloading times of under 30 seconds per round. This capability supports base defense and sensor-to-shooter operations by enabling the transmission of mission plans from other AeroVironment UAVs. The Block 20's Fire Control System (FCS), which uses a touch screen interface, simplifies mission planning and execution. These upgrades allow the Block 20 to provide real-time video and GPS coordinates, delivering intelligence and strike capabilities across multiple domains.

Despite the improvements, the system retains a lightweight, portable design. The munition weighs 1.68 kg, while the full All-Up-Round (AUR) system weighs 3.27 kg, making it easily transportable. The system remains focused on engaging anti-personnel targets while minimizing the risk of collateral damage, as it supports user-selectable attack angles, a recommit capability, and continuous positive identification (PID) to allow operators to adapt their targeting decisions to the battlefield's evolving conditions.

With a range of up to 30 kilometers when equipped with an extended range antenna, the Switchblade 300 Block 20 operates at loitering speeds of 101 km/h and can reach speeds of 161 km/h in sprint mode. This loitering munition operates at altitudes of up to 152.4 meters (500 feet) above ground level (AGL) and in environments at elevations up to 4,572 meters (15,000 feet) above sea level (ASL). These capabilities make it suitable for deployment in various terrains and operational conditions, as the Block 20 continues to offer expanded capabilities for precision strikes and real-time intelligence, aligning with evolving operational requirements.