AeroVironment Introduces Switchblade 300 Sensor to Shooter Kit

AeroVironment has introduced the Switchblade 300 Sensor to Shooter Kit which enables operators to instantly transfer target coordinates from AeroVironment’s suite of small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) to the Switchblade 300 loitering missile system.

"Sensor to Shooter maximizes the operator’s ability to see first, strike first, combining the superior intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities of AeroVironment’s SUAS with the precision strike capabilities of the Switchblade loitering missile system,"stated Charles Dean, AeroVironment vice president for global business development.

The Switchblade 300 Sensor to Shooter Kit can update FalconView, a multi-platform mapping and mission planning application, with the Sensor to Shooter (S2S) software on a ruggedized laptop and connect to the included Pocket Digital Data Link (pDDL). Using the software’s tap-to-target user interface, target coordinates are instantly transferred via machine-to-machine communication from the SUAS to the Switchblade 300 to create an automated mission plan and launch sequence with no chance of data entry error.

Upon launch, the Switchblade 300 can autonomously navigate to the designated coordinate position, allowing operators to scene match full-motion video downlink from both assets to ensure positive identification of the target. Once confirmed, operators can then engage the target with lethal effects and immediately capture the resulting battle damage assessment from the SUAS over watch to reassess targets for follow-on or immediate re-attack strikes.