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Pentagon's Replicator selects AeroVironment's Switchblade-600 as first buy
Pentagon's Replicator selects AeroVironment's Switchblade-600 as first buy
By Mike Stone
May 6, 2024 5:33 AM EDT Updated an hour ago
WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) - The Pentagon said Monday that AeroVironment Inc's (AVAV.O), opens new tab Switchblade-600 loitering munition was the first weapon to be publicly confirmed to be part of the Replicator initiative, which aims to rapidly deploy thousands of military drones.
The Switchblade-600 has gained notoriety because the Ukrainian military is using it to strike Russian troops.
In an effort to enhance the U.S. military's autonomous and uncrewed capabilities, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks kicked off the $1 billion Replicator idea in August. The two-year program aims to integrate drones and technological innovations into defense programs at an accelerated pace.
The Switchblade-600 is the first disclosed weapon in the program, but more tranches and systems are expected. The first tranche also includes undisclosed maritime surface products, other aerial drones and counter-drone systems (c-UAS).
[...]
By Mike Stone
May 6, 2024 5:33 AM EDT Updated an hour ago
WASHINGTON, May 6 (Reuters) - The Pentagon said Monday that AeroVironment Inc's (AVAV.O), opens new tab Switchblade-600 loitering munition was the first weapon to be publicly confirmed to be part of the Replicator initiative, which aims to rapidly deploy thousands of military drones.
The Switchblade-600 has gained notoriety because the Ukrainian military is using it to strike Russian troops.
In an effort to enhance the U.S. military's autonomous and uncrewed capabilities, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks kicked off the $1 billion Replicator idea in August. The two-year program aims to integrate drones and technological innovations into defense programs at an accelerated pace.
The Switchblade-600 is the first disclosed weapon in the program, but more tranches and systems are expected. The first tranche also includes undisclosed maritime surface products, other aerial drones and counter-drone systems (c-UAS).
[...]