Not "lancet" only: what copies of switchblade drones invent in Russia (video)

The American defense company Aerovirant produces Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 ammunition, which operate on one principle but differ in size, characteristics and capacity of warheads. These are Kamikadze drones, which are launched from special tubes under the influence of compressed air, and then open two pairs of complex wings, switch on electric motors and fly autonomously, seeking goals.

Both models are equipped with high -resolution cameras that allow to conduct exploration and notice different objects on the surface of the earth, including combat equipment and the live power of the enemy. Drones illuminate potential goals and are given on their own, but attack only the command of the operator - dive and explode when collided. The US Army for the first time ordered Switchblade 300 drones for Afghanistan war to impress targets that are unattainable for artillery.

The system was not very popular at the time, but the war in Ukraine showed how effective it could be in skillful hands. Switchblade in Russia should be one of the most obvious "clones" Switchblade in Russia from the Design Bureau "Unmanned Aviation". The developers said they plan to test in 2024.

A distinctive feature of the complex will be the starting plant-judging by the words of the Russians, it will not need a compressed air balloon, and soldiers will be able to easily carry a disposable tube with them and apply from any position as a grenade launcher. Allegedly, you can "shoot" drones at least from the inside, though outside the building without any training.

The designers are about to put on the "vector-120" warhead weighing 220-250 g, which approximately corresponds to the shot with RPG-7. Additionally, shrapnel elements will be added to the combat part, which will affect the infantry at a long distance. Such drones are offered to defeat the strength and light armored vehicles. Last year, the Design Bureau "Android Technique" showed a new LaOP-500 drone at the Forum "Army-2022", more precisely, a brochure with basic information about it.

The device depicted on the outside is very reminiscent of Switchblade with decomposed wings. While the project is in development, and it is unknown how long it will take. Designers promise to do several ways of control: remote, voice and with a special helmet. The Russians expect that Laop-500 will be able to destroy heavy armored vehicles, having a warhead weighing only 500 g.

According to analysts, such power is not enough to cause significant damage to tanks, for example, Switchblade 300 drones, which is not much easier than the Russian model. lesions of living strength and non -tarnished positions. In November 2022, the Roscosmos Excel Corporation, and now the head of a group of Russian military experts, "royal wolves" stated that "independent developers" had created a new drone and even able to launch it into the sky.

The published roller shows UAVs, which resembles Swithcblade, but instead of a ram, he drops the ammunition. "The royal wolves will provide them with full support. The best engineering solutions will soon be an unpleasant surprise for the enemy at the front," Dmitry Rogozin wrote on his Telegram page. In May, Aerovironment reported that the Switchblade 300 Block 20 has been transmitting upgraded drones to Ukraine.