The Switchblade 600 loitering munition successfully hit the Buk and Tor surface-to-air missile systems deep behind enemy lines in Russia.

The operators of Charlie company performed successful combat operations with these drones from the 14th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Regiment.

Overall, Charlie operators in the Donetsk sector identified and hit three enemy air defense systems within two weeks.

“Strike drones with a target acquisition and automatic homing system were used for the attack,” the military reported.

Before the strike, Ukrainian reconnaissance drones were monitoring the Russian positions.

The Russian air defense systems failed to detect and shoot down the Ukrainian drones.

After identifying the Russian positions, American Switchblade 600 strike drones were sent to target the surface-to-air missile systems.

The drones were launched using a tubular launch system, significantly reducing deployment time and allowing them to be launched from any location.

The Switchblade 600 can stay in the air for 40 minutes, cover a distance of 40 km during that time, and loiter in the air.

The maximum flight speed is 185 km/h. The American drone is equipped with a powerful warhead that allows it to destroy heavy armored vehicles, including tanks.

As part of military aid, in 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense signed a contract worth $17.8 million to produce and deliver Switchblade drones to Ukraine.

In October 2024, Militarnyi reported that the American company AeroVironment had signed an agreement with a Ukrainian company regarding the localization of the Switchblade 600.