AeroVironment (AV) has received from the US Army Directed Requirement (DR) for the Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS) contract. The five-year contract with the Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground is an IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity) contract with a maximum order value of 885 million euros. According to the company, delivery of the Switchblade systems is “expected to begin in a few months”.
Switchblade represents the next generation of extended-range cluster munition systems. It is designed to provide forces in the field with a multi-mission cluster munition system suitable for operations in multiple areas. In addition, the already combat-proven system is characterized by precise optics and an extended flight time. https://militaeraktuell.at/diehl-defence-chief-program-harald-buschek/ This LUS contract is the first attempt by the US Army to equip soldiers in infantry battalions with portable cluster munition systems. The Switchblade systems are intended to enhance soldiers’ capabilities through precise flight control, increased penetration against fortified targets such as armored vehicles and tanks, and the ability to track and engage moving targets without visual contact. “AV is proud to have been selected to provide Switchblade for this critical and urgent Army requirement,” said Brett Hush, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Loitering Munition Systems at AV. He continued, “This contract underscores the maturity and effectiveness of our system and AV’s strategic positioning to rapidly produce and deliver these state-of-the-art solutions to operators in the field.”
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