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Potent anti-armor munition integrated into MQ-9 at Yuma Proving Ground
A venerable unmanned aerial system (UAS) now has a potent new arrow in its quiver thanks to testing at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG).
YPG testers recently evaluated the integration of the Switchblade 600 Block 1 into the MQ-9, often referred to as the Reaper when equipped with a munition.
The Switchblade 600 Block 1 (SB 600) is a state-of-the-art anti-armor loitering munition, featuring the potent warhead employed by the renowned Javelin anti-tank missile. The system excels in range, achieving an impressive distance of up to 175 kilometers when launched from an MQ-9 at an altitude of 30,000 feet. Traditionally recognized for its versatility as a man-portable and ground-launched asset, the Switchblade 600 further demonstrated its groundbreaking capabilities through a recent historic UAS fire test at YPG.
https://www.dvidshub.net/news/547269/po ... ing-groundIn the test, the Switchblade was successfully launched twice—once with an inert warhead and once with a high-explosive round—targeting a T-72 tank from YPG's target collection. These tests evaluated the system’s components, from the launcher to its long-range antennas. Control of the SB600 through the MQ-9 Reaper Ground Control Station (GCS) involved an advanced integration of Satellite Communications (SATCOM) and Data Link (DDL) relay, which enabled precise operation over long distances.
Following launch, the SB600 was maneuvered by an operator using SATCOM for over-the-horizon communication, ensuring continuous command and telemetry exchange. The MQ-9 acted as a relay station using DDL to manage real-time video feeds and enhance the munition’s precision during reconnaissance and target engagement. During the test, the SB600 was orbited around the target for confirmation before performing a high-speed attack dash, documented by a UH-60 helicopter and ground-based Kineto Tracking Mounts for comprehensive mission analysis.
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https://www.army.mil/article/288835/adv ... technologySoldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, specifically from I Corps’ field artillery, infantry, and aviation units, participated in a Special User Demonstration (SUD) to test Launched Effects – Short Range (LE-SR) systems. The demonstration featured cutting-edge autonomous systems from AEVEX Aerospace, Anduril Industries, and Raytheon, including the Atlas, Altius 600, and Coyote Block 3 systems, respectively.
LE-SR systems are lightweight, autonomous platforms designed to strengthen the Army’s operational capabilities. These systems can deliver lethal precision strikes or provide non-lethal effects, offering versatility across all formations and mission requirements.
LE-SR allows Soldiers to operate efficiently and effectively in dynamic environments. Soldiers from I Corps established all necessary capabilities within a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) and launched systems rapidly.
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The 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐏𝐄𝐎) 𝐀𝐯𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, alongside key counterparts, is leading the charge evaluating three cutting-edge 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 (𝐋𝐄) as part of the 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐲’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. The systems were evaluated by Soldier feedback during a Special User Demonstration held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA.
https://www.facebook.com/peoaviation/po ... 633524606/𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝:
1️⃣𝐀𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐗 𝐀𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐬
2️⃣𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝟔𝟎𝟎
3️⃣𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐲𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐈𝐈𝐈
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5. August 2025
Army PM UAS - Launched Effects
https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/ ... 3f528/viewDescription
Program Executive Office Aviation (PEO Aviation) and Project Manager Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (PM UAS), seeks qualified vendors to provide affordable Launched Effects (LE). Launched Effects are attritable unmanned systems deployed from a host platform (airborne or ground-based) to perform missions such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, communications relay, or strike. LE systems are networked, autonomous, and designed to operate in collaborative teams that offer lethal and non-lethal effects to extend operational reach at the Brigade, Corps, and Division level. Furthermore, LEs are designed for autonomous operations in contested environments to enable maneuver, achieve local Fire Support superiority, and deliver effects on High Value Targets for Army or Joint assets in high-risk missions. This effort will accelerate delivery of LE systems that support soldier-operated experimentation, training, operational employment, and further improvement of LE Concepts of Employment (CONEMPS) and Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs). Army leadership has directed PM UAS to field Launched Effects to every Army Division and Multi Domain Task Force in 2026. This challenge invites vendors to propose modular LE systems. Initial awards will be prioritized to vendors that can deliver systems within 4-6 months from ONI agreement award. One Nation Innovation’s challenge-based sourcing model will select LE system solutions.
Desired Solution
The Government seeks LE systems that meet the prioritized Key Capabilities below. Demonstrating innovation and compressed schedules to incorporate future requirements is encouraged. Provide supporting details for all capabilities below in the white paper. Accomplishing additional Secondary Key Capabilities provide a greater chance of agreement award.
Key Capabilities:
Priority Capabilities
- System performs the following modular sensor and effects capabilities:
- Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Detect, Identify, Locate and Report (DILR) - The System can operate EO/IR DILR payloads to collect, process, and transmit intelligence, surveillance, and target acquisition.
- Inert Lethal - The System can operate inert lethal payloads to engage designated targets.
- System capable of Ground and/or Air launch
- System supports a minimum operating range of 40km, with additional Time on Station
- System capable of full mission preplanning and execution
- Ability for operators to conduct dynamic re-tasking of individual and groups of LEs during mission execution
- System autonomously executes assigned missions without requiring direct intervention from the operator.
- Specify system capability in terms of Human-in-the-Loop (HITL), Human-on-the-Loop (HOTL), Human-off-the-Loop (HOfTL) and provide rationale
- System can avoid collision with other LEs within a defined group.
Secondary Capabilities:
- System utilizes a digital training product (at the controlled unclassified information (CUI) level) that operators can utilize with the user interface software to plan and execute missions without operation of actual LE at home station. The training solution includes a simulation software solution with LE models to accurately replicate entire missions managing LE.
- System performs the following modular sensor and effects capabilities:
- Live Lethal - The System can operate live lethal payloads to engage designated targets.
- Radio Frequency (RF) DILR – The system can operate RF DILR payloads to collect, process, and transmit intelligence, surveillance, and target acquisition.
- Electronic Warfare/Electronic Attack (EW/EA) - The System can conduct EW/EA operations to disrupt, degrade, or deny adversary comms, radar, or navigation systems.
- Decoy - The system can mislead, distract, or saturate enemy detection or targeting systems.
- Comms Relay - The system can function as a communications relay node to extend or bridge line-of-site communication between nodes.
- System is capable of onboard Aided Target Recognition (AiTR) during operation with growth path to Automatic Target Recognition (ATR)
- System can coordinate between multiple autonomous assets to synchronize effects without direct control of an operator. The collaborative behavior shall allow for missions to be conducted utilizing multiple LEs to overwhelm and neutralize a threat(s). LE groups conduct planned and automated missions by coordinating timing and sequencing of sensors and effects. The system provides ability to maintain operations as a group in continuously denied communications environment.
- System can conduct missions in Global Positioning System (GPS) and/or communications degraded and denied environments, and Electronic Warfare (EW) contested environments
- System can achieve interoperability on existing Army networks
- System can achieve appropriate cybersecurity and anti-tamper requirements
- System can support existing Army Command and Control (C2) solutions
- System can rapidly launch LEs to support swarm operations
- System modularity supports rapid incremental development and improvement
- System has enhanced survivability, including features such as reduced radar cross section and low observability (e.g., visual, thermal, or acoustic signatures)
- System dash speed is greater than 120 knots.
- Provide time on station at 40km, 100km, and 200km
