KYSEA has given the go-ahead for the supply of the US-made Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600. They will be bought at 1/3 their price. The planning envisages their placement on the Aegean islands and the Evros.
Switchblade drones are important military support weapons. Unlike the large drones used by the US military for reconnaissance and weapon use against targets, the tiny Switchblades are a weapon in their own right.
Switchblade drones are also called "kamikaze drones" because they act like single-use remote-controlled bombs.
They are small, easy to use and intended to hit targets that are out of sight of soldiers. They are launched from a tube.
Once launched, the Switchblade drone can be controlled from the ground before hitting its intended target.
It has a feature that allows the user to cancel the hit in case the target has moved away or there are civilians in the area.
Ο manufacturer AeroVironment has two different models.
Switchblade drone 300
The Switchblade drone 300 weighs 5,5 pounds (2.5 kg). and is small enough to carry in a backpack.
It can fly for up to 15 minutes, with a range of just over six miles. It has a speed of 63 mph (100 kph) and a top speed of 100 mph (160 kph). It is designed to hit soldiers.
Switchblade drone 600
The Switchblade drone 600 weighs 50 pounds (22 kg). and flies for more than 40 minutes, with a range of about 25 miles.
It has a top speed of 70 mph (112 kph) and a top speed of 115 mph (185 kph) and was designed to hit soldiers and tanks.
