AeroVironment launches new multifunctional drone variant

AeroVironment is debuting a new drone with the capacity to carry out reconnaissance, electronic warfare and strike missions, building on a lethal loitering system that is already being fielded by the Army, according to a Wednesday announcement . The defense technology firm introduced the system, known as MAYHEM 10, which expands upon its Switchblade family. The Army in February announced a $186 million purchase that includes two variants of Switchblade one-way attack, or “kamikaze,” drones: the Switchblade 600 Block 2 variant and the Switchblade 300 Block 20 variant. The difference is that MAYHEM 10 is multifunctional, meaning it can perform tasks in addition to striking. The new system can carry a 10-pound payload and has a range of over 62 miles, per the release. The system is capable of 50 minutes of endurance, with a launch assembly that can be done in under five minutes, the statement says. It can also be launched from the air, ground or maritime platforms. “By integrating advanced autonomy, multi-domain payloads, and rapid adaptability, we empower our forces to sense, disrupt, and strike with precision — even in the most contested environments,” Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, said in the statement. Last year, U.S. soldiers tested the Switchblade 600 system, which has a range of 27 miles and is designed to engage a target using onboard cameras. The Switchblade 300 Block 20, unlike the heavier 600 variant, is small enough to be carried in a backpack. For the first time, according to a February AeroVironment announcement , it will come equipped with an Explosively Formed Penetrator, a deadly warhead that is made to penetrate armored vehicles. About Eve Sampson Eve Sampson is a reporter and former Army officer. She has covered conflict across the world, writing for The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Associated Press. Share: In Other News Advocates press for preventive programs, VA benefits for struggling vets Representatives from specialty courts and veterans’ legal organizations pressed Congress Wednesday for expansion of the Veterans Treatment Courts system. Suicide rates among military families continue to climb The total overall number decreased, a drop that coincides with smaller overall force numbers. Bill from vets in Congress would keep military roles open to women The bill, which lacks Republican sponsors, is explicitly described as a response to the Pentagon review of women in ground combat roles. After three-year hiatus, VA to resume rollout of new electronic medical records system The department’s adoption of the Oracle Health’s FEHR was halted in 2023 following a year-long pause over safety and functionality concerns. Trump’s VA budget request tops $488 billion for fiscal 2027 The Department of Veterans Affairs would see its budget increase by 7.7% in fiscal 2027 under the White House’s proposed $2.2 trillion budget. Load More .c-articleBody {--max-image-height: 50vh;}@media(min-width: 1024px) {.c-articleBody {--max-image-height: max(600px, 70vh);}}