Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
0 comments 
Soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division Test the Switchblade 600 Kamikaze Drone at Fort Cavazos, Which Combines Range, Precision, and Protection in Combat
Soldiers of the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division conducted the first real live-fire test of the Switchblade 600 on September 29, an advanced propulsion munition that combines drone and missile characteristics. The exercise took place at Fort Cavazos and marked a step forward in the modernization of armored formations, according to an official statement.
The demonstration was part of Pegasus Charge, an initiative linked to the “Transforming on Contact” program, which seeks to redefine combat with new drone technologies and advanced communications.
The Switchblade 600 in Action
The Switchblade 600 is a tube-launched unmanned aerial system, approximately 1.5 meters long and weighing 34 kilograms.
-
End of the stove: new technology from Xiaomi promises to retire the old stove with a smart pot that prepares up to 16 servings in 24 minutes and has 10 automatic levels controlled by an app.
-
If Ormuz closes, the world freezes: the 1,200 km Saudi Petroline transports oil from the Gulf to the Red Sea, operates near 7 million barrels/day, and becomes a geopolitical weapon in the crisis with the US.
-
Scientists restore seagrass meadows in the open sea.
-
Scientists find about 1 million giant live eggs hatching in an active underwater volcano, discover a natural furnace on the ocean floor, and reveal one of the most unlikely nurseries ever seen in the ocean.
The equipment has already been used by Special Operations Forces, light infantry units, and foreign partners. Now, the 1st Cavalry Division becomes one of the first armored formations to employ it.
Captain Jeffrey Weller, commander of the Multifunctional Reconnaissance Troop of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, emphasized the importance of the test: “This is the first time all of our soldiers have seen these munitions fired, and you can feel the excitement in the air.”
According to him, the Switchblade allows precision strikes between 5 and 15 kilometers ahead of the troops, extending range and lethality.
The battery-powered system carries a multi-role Javelin warhead, can fly for 40 to 45 minutes, and can engage targets up to 43 kilometers away. A flight operations supervisor from the manufacturer explained: “It’s a remotely controlled missile that flies like a drone until it reaches the target. The operator uses onboard cameras to identify, select, and engage the target.”
Precision and Safety on the Battlefield
One of the differentiators of the Switchblade is its ability to maneuver mid-flight, adapting to changes on the battlefield. For commanders, this feature reduces collateral damage and increases troop protection.
<p“The Switchblade allows us to target vehicles or small groups of people from a much greater distance than before,” said Weller. “It elevates our lethality, minimizes collateral damage, and helps protect soldiers on the front line.”
Intensive Operator Training
Before the live firing, military personnel underwent five days of training with the manufacturer, learning to configure, arm, and program the drones for surveillance and attack missions.
Specialist Drake Cross, an operator in the division, shared his experience: “Everything else I flew was for surveillance and target acquisition. This is the first flight where I can actually fire a shot. It’s exciting because it saves soldiers’ lives by hitting targets without putting us in danger.”
Cross also highlighted the ease of use: “There isn’t much of a learning curve. Once you identify and aim at a target, you can adjust even to impact to ensure you’re hitting the desired target.”
Lessons from War and the Future of Combat
Army leaders assert that the Switchblade is just one of the technologies being integrated into armored units. The changes seek to adapt the service to the lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, where drones have played a decisive role.
<p“The battlefield is constantly changing, and the Army needs to modernize to keep up,” said Weller. “Seeing systems like the Switchblade in action shows us the future of how our formations will fight. It's a significant step towards keeping our soldiers safer and more lethal.”
The 1st Cavalry Division intends to utilize the Switchblade during its upcoming rotation at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California.
Seja o primeiro a reagir!