The Switchblade is a small, portable unmanned aerial vehicle developed by AeroVironment that can be launched from a backpack and guided to destroy targets. It has a small warhead and wings that unfold during launch, allowing it to be guided by video or GPS to its target. The Switchblade was first tested in 2010 by the US Army and has since been ordered by both the Army and Marines. It provides reconnaissance and can switch to an explosive attack mode to crash into targets.

1. SEMINAR on “AeroVironment Switchblade”

2. What is the “SwitchBlade” ?
 The Switchblade is an unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV) developed by AeroVironment.It is designed
as a “kamikaze" being able to crash into its target with
an explosive warhead to destroy it.
 The Switchblade is small enough to be carried in a
backpack and can be launched from a variety of
ground and air platforms.

3. History behind the “SwitchBlade”
 The Switchblade was first tested in 2010 by
the United States Army. 10 were purchased for
evaluation and were deployed successfully. In
September 2011, the Army ordered over a hundred for
troop use. The Army then issued a $5.1 million
contract modification effective March 20, 2012 to
their previous order to produce and deliver more
systems.
 In May 2012, the United States Marine
Corps ordered the Switchblade UAV.

4. DESIGN OF THE “SWITCHBLADE”

6. The KEY points behind its WORKING
 The Switchblade has a small warhead and is launched
from a 60 cm long container/launcher tube.
 As it launches its small wings unfold and can be
guided to its target via a nose-mounted camera.
 The operator looks through a viewer that displays
video from the drone.
 Switchblade can also be directed to co-ordinates using
Global Positioning System (GPS).

7. The Ingredients behind its Engineering
 Powered by an electric motor it can reach speeds up
to 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) .
 It can glide through air for around 40 mins.
 The Switchblade weights 1 kilogram (2.2 lb) and can
be fired from a man-portable launch tube or a 70 mm
rocket pod.
 The explosive effect of the warhead is about
equivalent to a hand grenade.

9. The LAUNCH of the SWITCHBLADE

10. The TRAVERSAL of the SWITCHBLADE

11. IMPACT After DETONATION

12. The STRENGTH of the SWITCHBLADE
 AeroVironment
describes the Switchblade as the
warfighter's “magic bullet”.
 It can rapidly provide a powerful, but expendable
miniature flying Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance (ISR) package on a Beyond Line-ofSight (BLOS) target within minutes.
 This miniature, remotely-piloted or autonomous platform
can either glide or propel itself via quiet electric
propulsion, providing real-time GPS coordinates and
video for information gathering, targeting, or
feature/object recognition.

13. Continued …
 The vehicle’s small size and quiet motor make it
difficult to detect, recognize, and track even at very
close range.
 The Switchblade is fully scalable and can be
launched from a variety of air and ground platforms.
It is controlled via a common ground launcher, also
used for controlling the RQ-11B Raven, Wasp or
Puma.

14. A RAW & REAL KILLER !!!

15. Why “SWITCHBLADE” is called the Ultimate STEALTH ?
 The Switchblade's payload and launcher, weighing less than
six pounds total, can be carried in a backpack by a single
soldier.
 The mini UAV, which sends streaming video and GPS
coordinates back to its operator, can be transformed from an
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance UAV into a mini
bomb striking a target beyond the line of sight.
 The battery-powered vehicle has a very low visual, acoustic
and thermal signature. AeroVironment says the the weapon can
also be deployed from submarines, ground vehicles and a
manned, as well as unmanned, aircraft.
 It is designed to operate at low level - below 500 ft above
ground, and at a maximum altitude 15,000 ft.

16. MOTION DETECTION SOFTWARE
 Military forces frequently deploy AeroVironment’s
small UAS in dynamic and complex operating
environments.
 Sentient’s Kestrel Land MTI software solution adds
capability to AeroVironment’s family of small UAS
by automatically detecting moving objects in electrooptical (EO) and infrared (IR) full motion video
(FMV).

17. GROUND CONTROL SYSYTEM integration
 Automatically detects moving dismounts
 Real-time EO/IR Moving Target Indication (MTI)
 Fully integrated with AV family of small UAS
 Real-time and forensic operation
 Geo-location data
 Proven in-theatre performance
 Increased coverage area

18. The Magic Of the GCS integration

19. One among TIME magazine’s TOP 25 inventions of 2012 !!!

20. CONCLUSION
 The WAR fighter’s “MAGIC
BULLET”.
 The Ultimate advancement in
Stealth & Drone Attack.
 It is the Newest Military
invention in the "Stealthy,
Persistent, Perch and Stare
(SP2S) UAS” genre.