US Army tests 75-pound drone that strikes targets like a missile

The US Army recently conducted its first live-fire test of the Switchblade 600 loitering munition system with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Cavazos, Texas. The Switchblade 600 is a tube-launched, unmanned aerial system approximately 5 feet long and weighing 75 pounds, equipped with a Javelin multipurpose warhead. It can fly up to 27 miles, loiter for 40 to 45 minutes, and deliver a 5-pound explosive payload with precision. Unlike traditional drones, it functions as a remote-controlled missile that can be redirected mid-flight, allowing operators to identify, select, and engage targets while minimizing collateral damage and enhancing soldier safety. Previously used primarily by Special Operations Forces and light infantry, the Switchblade 600 is now being integrated into armored formations as part of the Army’s “Transforming in Contact” initiative, which aims to modernize combat tactics by incorporating advanced drone technologies and communications. Soldiers trained intensively with the system