The deal in question is the $990-million contract awarded to AeroVironment on August 27 for an “organic, stand-off solution” capable of neutralizing hostile tanks, armored vehicles, and personnel targets.

Although the grounds for the petition have not yet been disclosed, the protest will halt production of the loitering munitions while the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviews the case.

An official decision is expected to be made within 100 calendar days as required by law.

If successful, Mistral’s protest could force the US Army to re-open a competition.

The Agreement

On August 28, AeroVironment confirmed it had entered a five-year agreement with the US Army to support its Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS) requirement by supplying an undisclosed number of Switchblade attack drones.

The systems will be used by dismounted infantry formations to defend against the threats of enemy armored assets.

The company stated that its Switchblade munitions will enhance soldier lethality and give operators the ability to track and engage moving, non-line-of-sight targets.

“AV (AeroVironment) is proud to have been selected to provide Switchblade for this critical and urgent army requirement,” Senior VP Brett Hush noted.

Deliveries of the Switchblade systems were originally scheduled to begin in months, but the protest may delay them until next year.

‘Well Positioned’

The Switchblade is a tube-launched, precision-guided munition that is flown like a drone and detonates upon contact with the target.

It can stay airborne for up to 20 minutes to monitor the surroundings and search for a target.

Prior to Mistral’s protest, AeroVironment said that its Switchblade munitions offer “unmatched maturity and effectiveness” for various missions.

Additionally, the company affirmed it is well positioned to meet the army’s emerging needs by leveraging robust production capability and supply chain capacity.

“This contract further solidifies AV’s role as a leading provider of innovative unmanned solutions,” AeroVironment noted. “The company remains committed to supporting US Army missions by delivering advanced technology that ensures operational superiority”

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Developed in partnership with GE Aerospace, the GEK800 can reportedly generate up to 3,000 pounds (1,360 kilograms) of thrust, making it “ideally suited” for cruise missiles.

The two companies said it could still be scaled up to meet the requirements of the CCA program.

“It is a scalable architecture,” GE Aerospace President Amy Gowder said. “As we see the requirements firm up, we’ll decide how high to scale or not. Certainly, there’s a lot of requirements that have not been disclosed on CCA due to the classified nature.”

Kratos disclosed that additional GEK800 development efforts are now complete and the engine is undergoing a series of tests.

Low-Cost Solution

Though the exact price was not disclosed, Gowder claimed that the product will address defense customers’ growing interest in low-cost engine solutions to meet their evolving mission requirements.

It could help meet global demands, as the GEK800 can also power drones and loitering munitions, which are relevant in modern warfare.

Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco said the engine is “just about ready to go” and they have already communicated with potential customers.

“We understand what the first platforms will be, what the first systems will be, and we understand the competitive landscape from pricing and performance,” he said.

The engine is slated for altitude testing next year.

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The sale includes 291 ALTIUS 600M-V aerial systems and related equipment for an estimated $300 million.

An Altius 600M-V comprises a loitering munition with an extensible warhead and electro-optical/infrared camera.

The 27-pound (12-kilogram) system has an endurance of up to four hours.

Related equipment includes launch systems, ground control systems, training drones, and associated support, including spares and battery chargers.

Switchblade 300s

Also approved is the sale of Switchblade 300 anti-personnel and anti-armor loitering missile systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $60.2 million. 

Taiwan requested 720 Switchblade 300s and 101 SB300 fire control systems.

The 2.5-kilogram (5.5-pound) AeroVironment system has a flight endurance of 15 minutes and a range of 10 kilometers (6 miles).

“This proposed sale serves US national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability,” the Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated.

“The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region.”

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Called the Hero-120SF, the variant will include various enhancements, such as advanced guidance systems and improved payload capacity.

The weapon will also boast increased flexibility to enable seamless deployment from various USSOCOM platforms.

The company did not disclose the exact number of loitering munitions to be delivered, but reports indicated that the amount was less than 200 systems.

In addition to the anti-tank weapons, UVision will supply munitions, spare parts, and equipment training.

The company will partner with Maryland-based defense firm Mistral Inc. to fulfill the contract.

Work is expected to be completed by 2029.

About the Hero-120

Details about the Hero-120SF are currently limited, but the base Hero-120 carries a 4.5-kilogram (10-pound) warhead for carrying out heavy strikes against tanks, armored vehicles, and other heavily-armored targets.

It has a range of 60 kilometers (37 miles) and an endurance of up to 60 minutes.

According to UVision, the Hero-120 is designed to operate independently, or without the need to rely on fire support or intelligence gathering platforms.

It also has a very low signature and can be easily launched from a protected, hidden position to enable maximum safety for operators.

“This significant contract … underscores the commitment of both UVision and Mistral to provide cutting-edge technology and operational expertise to safeguard US national security,” UVision chairman Major General (Ret.) Avi Mizrachi said.

Production of the Hero-120SF will take place at UVision facilities in Virginia.

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The LTUV is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison pickup truck and features other commercial off-the-shelf parts to boost its off-road capability.

Alongside different seating configurations, the LTUV incorporates the “Chevrolet Performance” upgrade that was originally developed to modernize the car parts of race teams.

Mistral will provide the UVision Hero 120, a kamikaze drone targeting enemy assets without exposing warfighters to direct fire.

The loitering munition weighs 14.5 kilograms (32 pounds) and includes a 4.5-kilogram (10-pound) warhead.

It has a flight endurance of up to 60 minutes, a range of 60 kilometers (37 miles), a maximum operational ceiling of 3,000 feet (914 meters), and a low-temperature capability down to -28 degrees Celsius (-18.4 Fahrenheit).

“We’re seeing an increased need for light tactical wheeled vehicles that deliver agility, speed and lethality,” GM Defense Business Development VP John Johnson stated.

“Our collaboration with Mistral demonstrates the versatility of our utility concept vehicle and its ability to enhance the tactical capabilities of warfighters.”

“We will continue to look for opportunities to showcase the value these integrated technologies deliver to defense customers.”

Setting a ‘New Standard’

The consortium wrote that the LTUV will support sustained operations in austere conditions, with maintenance backed by GM Defense’s global supply chain.

In addition to the vehicle’s rear cargo bed applications in logistics, command and control, electronic warfare, and counter unmanned aircraft system missions, GM noted that the platform can carry the Hero 120’s accompanying Expeditionary Multi-Canister Launcher for rapid, multiple, and more effective firing.

“This integration sets a new standard in military technology, providing the US Army and allied forces with an unparalleled combination of mobility, precision and adaptability,” Mistral VP Yoav Banai said.

“Our collaboration with GM Defense reflects our combined commitment to advancing military capabilities and to evolving battlefield challenges.”

The post GM Defense Tactical Utility Vehicle Prototype to Receive Kamikaze Drone appeared first on The Defense Post.

The program seeks cost-effective “force multiplier” capabilities in the form of autonomous systems to counter Chinese threats across different domains.

For the Replicator’s first tranche, AeroVironment will supply its proprietary Switchblade 600 man-portable, extended-range loitering munition system, which has also been used by Ukraine against Russian forces.

The Switchblade 600 incorporates precision flight control and modern sensors to sustain rapid launch and engagement against non-line-of-sight targets.

The drone is designed with a patented “wave-off and recommit” solution, enabling users to abort neutralization and re-engage in unforeseen conditions.

The Switchblade 600 is equipped with anti-armor and anti-personnel effects. It has an endurance of more than 40 minutes, a range of up to 90 miles (56 miles), and speed up to 185 kilometers (115 miles) per hour.

“Switchblade 600 is a battle-proven system in full-rate production that can support the [Department of Defense’s] desire to field thousands of autonomous systems across multiple warfighting domains,” AeroVironment Loitering Munitions SVP Brett Hush remarked.

“Our uncrewed systems, autonomy technology and computer vision software can help achieve multi domain operations in a heavily contested battlespace, at very low costs and high levels of resiliency.”

“We have not only invested in the maturation of such disruptive technologies but also the production capability and capacity to produce large volumes at the level of reliability that the US [Department of Defense] expects.”

The Replicator Initiative

According to the Pentagon, the Replicator initiative will receive initial funding of approximately $500 million.

Work for the maritime domain will focus on unmanned surface vehicles and is now in process under the agency’s Production-Ready, Inexpensive, Maritime Expeditionary (PRIME) Commercial Solutions Opening.

PRIME, launched in January, has received more than 100 applications from commercial vendors.

Other Phase 1 articles for the Replicator’s maritime and counter-drone areas remain classified, the department wrote.

The overall Replicator program will be facilitated over 18 to 24 months, with approximate funding of $1 billion per year.

“This is a critical step in delivering the capabilities we need, at the scale and speed we need, to continue securing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” a statement from the Pentagon said.

“Meeting the strategic imperatives facing the nation requires that we harness the very best of America’s commercial technology in non-traditional partners, alongside our traditional sources of defense capabilities.”

“Replicator is helping us jumpstart the delivery of critical capabilities at scale. We will build on that momentum with industry partners to deliver what the warfighter needs, and remove barriers to doing so again and again.”

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The $8.9 million initial contract has a potential value of $249 million.

Two other companies — Anduril and Teledyne FLIR — have also been selected for the program out of a pool of eight contenders. 

 “AV (AeroVironment) offers a battle-proven and production-ready system to support OPF-L to meet the Marine Corps’ requirements,” AV’s Senior Vice President Brett Hush said.

“Our mature and trusted manufacturing capability combined with world-class training and support will ensure Marine Infantry is adequately prepared for the fight.”

Switchblade 300 Block 20 

The Block 20 offers significant upgrades over the Switchblade 300, including armor penetration, target attack angle, battery life, flight endurance, and radio link range.

“With over 6,000 Switchblade loitering missiles tested, produced, and fielded, AV is in a unique position to offer revolutionary organic precision fire capabilities to the USMC, leveraging the proven reliability, producibility and supportability of current Switchblade programs,” continued Hush.

Organic Precision Fires-Light

The Organic Precision Fires-Light program seeks to equip the service with a loitering, beyond line-of-sight precision engagement capability with a greater range than direct fire weapons and minimum collateral damage and exposure to enemy fires.

The OPF-L will be deployed at the tactical level — rifle squads and platoons, referred to as the “organic” level of operations.

According to the Marines’ Force Design 2030 update from June 2023, there are two more OPF variants: mounted and infantry.

Mistral and UVision’s loitering munitions were selected for the OPF Mounted in 2022.

These munitions are intended to be integrated into the Light Armored Vehicle-Medium, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, and Long-Range Uncrewed Surface Vessel.

The post US Marines Select Switchblade 300 Loitering Munition for Precision Fires Program appeared first on The Defense Post.

The agreement supports the agency’s objectives to employ a deployable weapon system that protects dismounted infantry rifle squad personnel against beyond-line-of-sight threats.

Under the order, the company will provide 127 loitering munition systems to the Marines.

This tranche will be used for assessments in the summer that will add information to the weapons’ functionality prior to their full-scale production.

Work will be performed in five years and could be extended through an additional three-year option.

“The flexibility, adaptability and breadth of our proposed OPF-L platform will boost small unit lethality across the large target set Marines must confront in today’s battlespace,” Teledyne FLIR Defense Executive Vice President Dr. JihFen Lei stated. 

“We look forward to delivering on this highly advanced technology and working closely with the Marine Corps to augment its force projection – and protection – capabilities.”

Organic Precision Fires-Light

Solicitation for the OPF-L was revealed in September 2023. The notice required pitches for a man-packable suite incorporating a loitering munition, ground control station, batteries, training simulator, ancillary equipment, and training and support services for testing.

The program also stipulated works for systems engineering, quality assurance, program management, and logistics support.

The potential eight-year effort could increase to $249 million if all options from selected vendors are exercised.

Alongside Teledyne FLIR, the Marine Corps Systems Command awarded Aerovironment and Anduril Industries contracts for the program.

Latest Loitering Munition Projects

The US launched market research in 2023 to select potential industry partners to develop air-launched loitering munitions for the Marine Corps. 

Resulting solutions are expected to have greater maneuverability and range compared to the agency’s existing airborne weapons, including the Hellfire air-to-ground precision strike missile.

The US Marine Corps revealed plans to replace Hellfires with loitering solutions the same year. 

In 2021, the service partnered with an Israeli defense contractor to provide its armored vehicles of mid-range loitering munitions with “smart” capabilities.

The post US Marines Order Loitering Munitions From Teledyne FLIR appeared first on The Defense Post.

ALTIUS-700M’s “flawless” demonstration in the September test spanned six missions, from launch to strike, the California-based firm wrote.

An accompanying video shows the drone blasting off from a ground launcher and taking to the sky before crashing into a mock SA-17 surface-to-air missile system, generating a large fireball.

The drone’s maiden test with a live warhead followed trials of subsystems and inert systems.

All objectives were achieved in the test, proving the system’s accuracy and efficacy, the defense tech firm said.

Features

The ALTIUS family’s latest offering comes with an “industry-leading loitering time, extended range, and modular and open hardware and software architectures,” the company claimed.

It features a range of 100 miles (161 kilometers), a flight time of 75 minutes, and a warhead comparable to an AGM-114 Hellfire missile.

“With significant payload mass, high terminal velocity, and optional delayed fuze payload configurations, 700M can easily penetrate target walls to deliver maximum effect on armored targets,” Anduril said.

It can be deployed from air, ground or sea, and can be configured to perform “intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting, communications relay, cyber warfare, or kinetic strike.”

The post Anduril Tests Kamikaze Drone With Warhead Matching Hellfire Missile appeared first on The Defense Post.

If selected, the AeroVironment system will be “mass produced and rapidly scaled” for the Pentagon’s counter-China initiative, Defense Scoop revealed, citing sources.

It is the first reported system being considered for the initiative, for which a “small number of capabilities” have already been selected.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks did not specify the capabilities in January, saying that “acquisition strategies for specific platforms that could fill the bill” are being prepared.

“The deputy secretary selected capability areas in December. The military departments then identified specific systems and associated acquisition strategies to meet those capability needs,” Defense Scoop quoted Pentagon spokesperson Eric Pahon as saying.

“We submitted a spend plan and reprogramming requests to Congress. We hope they will act quickly, which will allow us to ramp up and accelerate production on Replicator capabilities. We aren’t able to provide specifics on the reprogramming request at this time,” he said.

The Switchblade 600 

The 15-kilogram (33-pound) aerial weapon features high-precision optics and an anti-armor warhead to take out hardened targets, including tanks.

It features an endurance of 40 minutes and a range of 40 kilometers (25 miles).

Loitering munitions is just one of the capabilities being considered for the initiative, which conceptually includes the deployment of thousands of unmanned systems to counter China’s growing military capability. 

“I don’t think ‘kamikaze drone’ is the right way to think about it. You need to think, again, well beyond the kinetic side of this into the ability to deliver logistics, command and control, ISR, if you will, and again, multiple domains,” the outlet quoted Hicks as saying.

Swarm of Unmanned Explosive Boats

Another potential Replicator capability being considered is swarms of unmanned surface vessels.

The Pentagon plans to deploy hundreds, if not thousands, of unmanned “interceptor” boats against a numerically superior Chinese Navy.

At least 120 vessels are expected to be produced annually from 2025 for the initiative under the Production-Ready, Inexpensive, Maritime Expeditionary project.

“This is their effort to try to get some new kinetic, lethal USV fielded that can be employed probably in a western Pacific context – maybe the Strait of Taiwan,” naval analyst Bryan Clark told USNI News about the project.

“They want to go out to the commercial world and say, ‘Alright, what do you got in terms of kinetic, lethal USVs that can be produced at scale’.”

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