The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced on 8 July that it will acquire the US-made Switchblade 300 precision loitering munition for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to enhance their battlefield advantage.
The Switchblade 300 is a battle-proven loitering munition developed by uncrewed air and ground vehicles specialist AeroVironment designed to boost the firepower of platoon-sized infantry units.
Initially developed for the US Army, the tube-launched Switchblade 300 can be carried and operated by a single soldier or from vehicles. It can identify, track, and engage targets and follow a pre-programmed course.
AeroVironment has also developed the more capable Switchblade 300 Block 20 system, which builds on the successful base model and adds a new high-resolution electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) panning camera suite, longer flight endurance of over 20 minutes, and a new touchscreen-based fire control unit (FCU). It is not known if the ADF will be equipped with this latest system.
The DoD did not disclose further details of the contract including the size and value of the order, but noted that the first Switchblade 300 will be delivered to Australia by 2024 and introduced into ADF service in 2025.
“With autonomous weapon systems increasingly prevalent, the Defence Strategic Review made clear that new technology and asymmetric advantage are important priorities,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry. “That’s why the Government is taking action to enhance the ADF’s use of drones.”
“The delivery of this proven precision loitering munition demonstrates the speed at which we are introducing capabilities to the ADF,” added Conroy. “It shows the Australian Government is getting on with the job of providing the ADF with state-of-the-art technologies it needs to meet the threats we face.”
The latest revelation follows media reports that the ADF has acquired the Owl loitering munition locally developed by Australian company Innovaero. However, the DoD has yet to disclose further details of the Owl to date, despite reportedly funding Innovaero to design and build the system since 2022.
“The Switchblade 300 will add to the ADF’s large array of drones, including models that can be armed,” the DoD said in its latest announcement. “The ADF has several different types of non-armed drones and drones capable of being armed, including models that have been in service for more than a decade.”
by Jr Ng
