The Pentagon ordered Switchblade 600 kamikaze drones for Ukraine

The United States signed a contract for the purchase of Switchblade 600 tactical unmanned strike systems for Ukraine, developed by the American company AeroVironment, known as kamikaze drones.

This was reported by the portal “Military”, writes “European Truth”.

On September 20, a document was published on the Pentagon website with a list of types of weapons that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will soon receive from the Americans.

Among the list there are Switchblade 600 kamikaze drones, which official Kyiv asked to transfer earlier. According to a posting on the website, the purchase contract was signed on September 15.

“Equipment – Switchblade 600, amount – $ 2.2 million, contractor – AeroVironment,” the document says.

In August, it became known that the Pentagon was preparing to conclude a contract for the transfer of Switchblade 600 drones to Ukraine.

The United States has previously transferred to Ukraine the so-called loitering ammunition (kamikaze drones) – 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.

Switchblade 600 has a powerful warhead similar to the American Javelin anti-tank missile, which allows you to destroy heavy armored vehicles, including tanks. This loitering ammunition with a weight of 23 kg is capable of destroying targets with an attack from above.

The time of his stay in the air is 40 minutes, during which the drone can overcome 40 km, as well as barrage in the air. The maximum flight speed is 185 km / h.