U.S.M.C. orders “Switchblade” UAV drones that function as mini-cruise missiles

The U.S. Marine Corp is ordering huge quantities of “Switchblade” micro-UAV/cruise missiles for its front line infantry units.

This according to the website Strategy Page:

“The Switchblade is a one kilogram (2.2 pound) expendable (used only once) UAV that can be equipped with explosives. The Switchblade is launched from its shipping and storage tube, at which point wings flip out, a battery powered propeller starts spinning, and a vidcam begins broadcasting images to the controller. The Switchblade is operated using the same gear the larger (two kg/4.4 pound) Raven UAV employs. A complete Switchblade system (missile, container, and controller) weighs 5.5 kg (12.1 pounds)…”

The website also noted:

“Switchblade can also be launched from the 70mm rocket tubes used on army helicopters. Moving at up to a kilometer a minute, the Switchblade can stay in the air for 20-40 minutes (depending on whether or not it is armed with explosives). The armed version can be flown to a target and detonated, having about the same explosive effect as a hand grenade. Thus the Switchblade could be useful for ground troops, to get at an enemy taking cover in a hard to see location. Switchblade completed development three years ago. Technically a guided missile, the use of Switchblade as a reconnaissance tool encouraged developers to refer to it as a UAV. But because of the warhead option, and its slow speed, Switchblade also functions like a rather small cruise missile” .

The Switchblade has been described as the first of a “new breed of miniature killer kamikaze drones” - the first such armed miniature UAS on the battlefield.

Once launched, the system is supposedly capable of acquiring “a man-size target” at the system’s combat range, in less than 20 seconds, flying at an altitude of 100 meter above ground. If conditions for attack are not met, the MAV will be able to loiter over the target for up to 30 minutes. For the terminal phase, the MAV is designed to hit target within 3.28 ft (1 meter) radius, at maximum speed of 80 – 100 mph (35-44m/sec). This accuracy matches the warhead’s effectiveness to kill or incapacitate personnel in the open or on soft skinned vehicles, within a two meter radius from the point of detonation. 

HOW THE WEAPON WORKS EXACTLY

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One Marine Corps officer at Paris Island, N.C., speaking off the record, said “We are not really allowed to speak to reporters directly about weapons systems being used by Marines on the battlefield, but I can tell you this weapon is freaking awesome”.  

Besides the U.S.M.C., the U.S. Army (SOCOM) is also acquiring hundreds of the Switchblades to help fight insurgents in Afghanistan, according to unconfirmed reports.

One US Special Forces soldier at Ft. Bragg, N.C., who declined to be named in this report called the Switchblade: “a flying hand grenade that spies on people”…

The only real drawback to the new weapons that I can find is perhaps the cost. The Department of Defense won’t say exactly but the estimated cost of the Switchblade per unit is about $150,000 dollars, according to “Lord Squishy”, a person who claims to be a Defense Department insider.

Others suggest the cost is more around $40,000-$50,000 per unit - which is about the price of a brand new corvette at your local Chevy dealer.

The Pentagon has refused comment on this story.