US sends 100 killer drones to Ukraine

(Photo: AeroVironment)

Ms. Celeste Wallander, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, confirmed the information on March 30. Responding to lawmakers, she said Ukraine had requested these weapons, including Switchblades dubbed “killer drones”.

“We committed to deliver 100 tactical drone systems in the recent Presidential review package,” Wallander testified before the House Armed Services Committee. “We listen to the Ukrainian people and take that request very seriously.”

Last week, White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters that drones would soon be available in Ukraine.

The decision to equip Ukraine with killer drones was made by the US after a call for additional military equipment by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Switchblade deployment could play an important role in the war with Russia in Ukraine. AeroVironment, the company that makes the weapon, declined to comment.

According to CNBC, there are two versions of the drone, the Switchblade 300 and the 600. It is not clear which version the US transferred to Ukraine. The 300 version is designed to hit small targets, fits in a backpack, weighs more than 2.26kg and has a range of 10 miles. Meanwhile, the Switchblade 600 can destroy tanks and other armored vehicles. It weighs more than 54.4kg and has a range of more than 40 miles.

Switchblade is equipped with cameras, navigation systems and remote-controlled bombs. Weapons can be programmed to hit targets miles away or hover above them until the operator fires them. Both 300 and 600 self-destruct after hitting the target. Each Switchblade can only be used once, so it is also known as a “suicide” drone.

NBC News reports that the Switchblade 300 costs an estimated $6,000, cheaper than using Lockheed Martin’s Hellfire missile and General Atomics’ MQ-9 Reaper drone.

Du Lam (According to CNBC)