“We have already sent 100 Switchblade drones that were in our warehouses … President [Джо] Biden announced their dispatch a couple of weeks ago, and we are discussing with the Ukrainians the future use of Switchblade drones,” the spokesman said.
He noted that these drones “are not of the system that Ukrainians usually use,” but the system is not very complicated and does not require much training – you can learn how to operate such drones in about two days.
According to Kirby, there have been “a very small number of Ukrainian soldiers” who received military training there. Now they have also been taught how to work with Switchblade so that when they get home they can train others in the Ukrainian army.
During the press conference, one of the journalists mentioned that, according to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Ukrainians could get both the 300th and 600th versions of the drones, and asked for clarification.
According to Kirby, one of the versions has a larger warhead, and it is potentially capable of hitting armored targets. He declined to “go into details about each shipment in terms of which Switchblade variants [будут отправлены]”.
“Are you asking me if I can rule out that version 600, the version with the heavier warhead, will not be used or shipped? No, I don’t rule that out,” Kirby added.
He noted that the United States will help the Armed Forces of Ukraine to obtain additional drones, if necessary.
“Now 100 have been sent, and then we’ll see,” the Pentagon spokesman added.
Switchblade kamikaze drones are equipped with cameras, targeting systems and impact warheads. Drone Models described on the website of the manufacturer AeroVironment. The Model 300 can hit a target up to 10 km away, but is limited by its flight time due to battery size. It weighs about 2.5 kg.
The Switchblade 600 weighs 23 kg and can attack at a maximum speed of 185 km/h. “Represents the next generation of extended-range loitering missiles,” says in description. The drone carries an anti-tank warhead of the Javelin type, designed to neutralize armored vehicles. The Switchblade 600 can be mounted on a ground transport platform and also used as an air-to-surface strike munition.
The name Switchblade (folding knife) refers to the spring-loaded wings that are inside the launcher when folded, and open when the drone takes off into the air.
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