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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The procurement follows the apparent success of the suicide drone in neutralizing Russian military assets, even in the presence of sophisticated electronic warfare systems.

According to the country’s defense ministry, the move will equip the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with “world-leading lethality and protection” to effectively perform various missions.

It would also help ensure the military maintains a strategic advantage over potential adversaries.

“The prosperity and security of our nation will always be a top priority…” defense industry minister Pat Conroy said. “That’s why giving our soldiers the critical capabilities they need to protect Australians, and their interests, is paramount.”

Below Threshold?

Canberra has not yet disclosed the value of the contract or how many Switchblades are being procured.

However, it said initial deliveries are expected later this year.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which typically announces the sales of US-made defense systems to foreign entities, has yet to issue a formal notification regarding the Australian acquisition.

However, with Canberra expecting deliveries this year, the foreign military sale has likely already been approved.

One possible reason the sale has not appeared on the DSCA website is that it has not reached a certain threshold, which for Australia is $25 million, which would mean the total value of the order would be less than 37 million Australian dollars.

About the Switchblade 300

AeroVironment’s Switchblade 300 is a miniature drone capable of attacking enemy armored vehicles, fortifications, or beyond-line-of-sight assets.

It can be fired from either a mobile position on the field or from a fixed defensive position.

The system also operates with a low acoustic signature, making it difficult to detect, recognize, or track even at very close range.

Additionally, it provides real-time video and cursor-on-target GPS coordinates to aid target acquisition and information gathering.

Australia’s acquisition of the Switchblade 300 is expected to boost the ADF’s arsenal of around 760 unmanned aerial systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, and attack missions.

Apart from Ukraine, the unmanned platform has been used in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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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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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.

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