The United States is preparing to transfer 10 Switchblade 600 kamikaze drones to Ukraine

The US Department of Defense is preparing to conclude a contract for the transfer of ten long-range kamikaze Switchblade 600 drones to Ukraine.

According to European Pravda, Pentagon spokeswoman Jessica Maxwell said this in response to a request from the Defense News portal.

According to her, the contract for the development and assembly of the Switchblade 600 drones by AeroVironment is expected within the next 30 days. It is not yet known exactly when Ukraine will receive these drones.

The United States has previously handed over to Ukraine so-called loitering shells – that is, those that are able to stay in the air for a certain time before they hit the target. These include the smaller Switchblade 300 drones and the Phoenix Ghost drones.

At the same time, the Pentagon notes, the supply of new drones is complicated by the fact that they are still considered a prototype in the United States, so they must be tested and evaluated before being sent.

The Switchblade 600 can fly over 40 km and hover over a target for 40 minutes before attacking with an anti-tank warhead. The drone operator uses a touch-screen tablet fire control system with the ability to manually pilot a barrage missile.

As reported, the latest package of US military assistance to Ukraine provides for 15 ScanEagle drones capable of flying at low altitude for a long time. They will help the Ukrainian military to correct artillery fire.