Switchblade developers have unveiled a drone with a range of over 400 km

The developers of Switchblade, AeroVironment, have unveiled a new drone called Red Dragon.

The new development was announced on the company’s official website.

The American company AeroVironment, known for its innovative solutions in the field of unmanned aerial systems, has unveiled a kamikaze drone with a flight range of over 400 km.

The device is designed for strike missions. Thanks to its advanced optical system, it provides increased efficiency and flexibility in a variety of conditions.

According to the developer, Red Dragon has a lightweight and portable design that allows it to be quickly deployed and used in field conditions. The drone is also equipped with a modular system that allows sensors and other components to be easily changed or upgraded depending on the mission.

The optical unit includes modern optical and infrared cameras, enabling effective tracking and identification of targets.

Red Dragon was designed with the needs of modern military operations in mind, as well as based on the experience of the war in Ukraine.

The length of the aircraft is approximately 2 meters. The wingspan is about 4 meters. The drone weighs about 20 kilograms. The maximum speed reaches 160 km/h (45 m/s), and the cruising speed is about 90 km/h (25 m/s). In autonomous mode, the device can fly up to 400 km.

The control range under direct visibility conditions is up to 65 km. The payload can reach 10 kg. Launch preparation takes less than 5 minutes. The launch rate is 4–5 drones per minute.

Militarnyi previously reported that the Spanish Ministry had announced a competition for developing domestic loitering munitions with a flight range of over 20 km and a warhead weighing at least 3.5 kg.

To this end, a program called the Coincident Program was launched, which aims to use technologies developed in the civilian sector that can be applied in projects of interest to the Ministry of Defense.

The companies and institutions selected as a result of the competition will have to develop a demonstration model of a kamikaze drone with military functionality that meets the real or potential needs of the Spanish Armed Forces.