The US Army is preparing to enter into a contract for the transfer of ten Switchblade 600 long-range kamikaze drones (barrage munitions) to Ukraine.
This is written by Defense News with reference to Pentagon spokeswoman Jessica Maxwell.
"A research and development contract for 10 Switchblade 600 barrage munitions manufactured by AeroVironment is expected within the next 30 days," she said in the letter.
Switchblade 600 is currently at the prototype stage, so it is not known exactly when the Armed Forces will receive these drones.
The Armed Forces already use the smaller Switchblade 300 drones. The "older" Switchblade 600s have a powerful warhead, like the Javelin anti-tank complex. They are designed to destroy heavy armored vehicles at a distance of up to 40 km. Switchblade 600 can stay in the air for up to 40 minutes. Such drones attack the target at a speed of 185 km/h.
- On August 19, the US Department of Defense announced a new $755 million aid package. It will have ammunition for HIMARS, 16 105 mm howitzers and 36,000 shells for them, 15 ScanEagle drones, HARM anti-tank missiles, 1,000 TOW heavy anti-tank missiles and 1,000 Javelin anti-tank systems.
- In addition, the Pentagon reported that the USA will hand over NASAMS anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine in two to three months.
- The publication Politico wrote that the USA plans to provide Ukraine with Excalibur artillery shells.