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AeroVironment will integrate its Switchblade 600 loitering missile system onto US Naval Special Warfare (NSW) combatant craft under a USD26.1 million contract awarded by the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).
Announced by the company on 27 April, the contract will address a requirement for a Maritime Precision Engagement (MPE) capability to defeat asymmetric threats on land and at sea. Both the 18.2 m Combatant Craft Medium (CCM) and the 24.3 m Combatant Craft Heavy (CCH) have been identified as potential host platforms for the MPE capability.
![The Switchblade 600 loitering missile system will be integrated with the CCH and CCM platforms to address a US Naval Special Warfare Maritime Precision Engagement capability requirement. (AeroVironment)](/images/default-source/news-images/fg_3959507-jmr-11766.jpg?sfvrsn=37a541ab_2)
The Switchblade 600 loitering missile system will be integrated with the CCH and CCM platforms to address a US Naval Special Warfare Maritime Precision Engagement capability requirement. (AeroVironment)
Based on the same self-contained, tube-launched, collapsible wing, electric propulsion architecture as the earlier Switchblade 300, the larger Switchblade 600 weighs 54.5 kg including the all-up round in the tube, and the fire control system (FCS). It is furnished with a two-axis, four-sensor gimballed (dual electro-optic and infrared) integrated sensor suite, and a multipurpose/anti-armour warhead, derived from the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missile, equipped with a height of burst sensor. A modular payload bay provides for the integration of an array of lethality options, including, potentially, an anti-radiation Switchblade 600 variant.
An onboard AES 256 encrypted digital datalink and a Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) GPS deliver resilient communications and signal integrity in electronic warfare environments. A target lock-on capability enables day/night precision engagement of non-line-of-sight hardened static and moving armour targets. Other features include automatic target recognition, selectable attack angle options, a patented wave-off/recommit capability, and a modular payload bay enabling multimission capabilities.
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