If you’re curious about seeing the American Switchblade drone in action, here’s a rare treat for you. Recent footage captures a Switchblade targeting a Russian-made mobile air defense system in eastern Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Come Back Alive foundation, known for supporting the Ukrainian military, shared the video on Telegram. It shows an unmanned reconnaissance drone tracking a Russian Buk M2 missile system near Dokuchaievsk in Donetsk, a city located in Russian-controlled territory east of Vuhledar which saw intense fighting during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to the foundation, the drone followed the Russian Buk M2 system until the US-made Switchblade drone approached and destroyed it, causing visible smoke and fire.
Earlier in 2022, videos on YouTube depicted Ukrainian soldiers using Switchblade Drones against Russian forces. Instances of such footage are rare compared to other recordings from Ukraine.
The US has supplied various drones to Ukraine, including the Phoenix Ghost, CyberLux K8, and Switchblade drones. While the exact number of Switchblade drones sent to Ukraine is unspecified, both the 300 and 600 models have been provided to the Ukrainian front line.
One interesting point to note is the uniqueness of the Switchblade 300—the weapon has been in use for over a decade, making it a sought-after piece of military tech. As such, videos featuring it should be closely examined.
Analysts have pointed out that the Switchblade drone in the video appears slow and “small,” resembling more of an unmanned multicopter than the typical Switchblade. The larger Switchblade 600 model, equipped with wings, can reach speeds of up to 100 miles per hour when approaching a target.
Recent observations suggest that Ukraine is transitioning to using more of the Switchblade 600 models rather than the older 300s, indicating evolving tactics on the battlefield.
It’s worth mentioning that taking down a high-value Russian air defense system with a “small drone” like the Switchblade is quite a feat. This incident also sheds light on the vulnerabilities of such systems against smaller drones.