PERCH 2.0 System for Launching Kamikaze Drones from Abrams Tanks Presented in USA

The American company General Dynamics Land Systems has unveiled the PERCH 2.0 system, which enables the launch of Switchblade strike drones from M1A2 Abrams tanks and Stryker armored vehicles.

The company announced this while releasing a video of the updated system’s testing.

The system was developed in collaboration with AeroVironment. It is designed to launch Switchblade 300 drones, which can conduct reconnaissance and engage targets beyond the crew’s line of sight.

The new version of PERCH is adapted for M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 tanks and eight-wheeled Stryker combat vehicles.

The module is mounted on the vehicle’s standard mounting points without welding, cutting, or significant structural modifications. On the Abrams, it replaces the external storage box located on the side of the turret near the loader’s station.

With this equipment, the crew can detect and engage the enemy behind hills, buildings, or wooded areas without exposing the armored vehicle itself to open terrain.

In August 2026, the U.S. Army ordered three PERCH 2.0 prototypes under an existing contract for technical support of the Abrams. By the end of October, the company plans to deliver four prototypes for testing with the 1st Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood.

During further testing, military personnel will evaluate the installation, reloading, and deployment of the drones without interfering with the crew’s primary tasks. A decision on equipping U.S. tanks with the new system on a production basis has not yet been announced.

PERCH

The first version of PERCH was demonstrated in October 2025 at the AUSA exhibition. At that time, the developers envisioned the use of two types of loitering munitions — the Switchblade 300 and the heavier Switchblade 600, designed to engage armored vehicles.

According to the initial concept, a single launch module could carry three light drones and one heavy drone. However, in the presentation of the updated system, the manufacturer focused specifically on the Switchblade 300.

Field tests of the system took place October 26-30, 2025, at Fort Hood in Texas during the Machine Assisted Rugged Sapper (MARS) exercises. Equipped with the launcher, the Abrams tank deployed both types of drones for reconnaissance and target engagement while overcoming engineering obstacles.

During these tests, the drones located and engaged priority targets beyond the tank’s line of sight. The developers also demonstrated the ability to integrate the launch system without requiring significant modifications to the armored vehicle.