AeroVironment Unveils Red Dragon Kamikaze Drone with 400km Range

AeroVironment has announced the launch of its latest kamikaze drone, the Red Dragon, designed to deliver high-impact missions at distances exceeding 400 kilometers.

Known for developing the widely used Switchblade drone, AeroVironment has introduced Red Dragon as a new addition to its line of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), tailored specifically for modern military operations and informed by lessons from recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine.

The Red Dragon is engineered for precision strikes and loitering missions. According to the manufacturer, it combines a lightweight frame with a modular design that enables easy upgrades of sensors and payload components. Its rapid deployment capability—launch-ready in under five minutes—makes it suitable for dynamic combat environments.

Measuring approximately two meters in length with a four-meter wingspan, the drone weighs about 20 kilograms. It can cruise at 90 km/h and reach maximum speeds of up to 160 km/h. In autonomous mode, it can fly up to 400 km, while its real-time control range is up to 65 km in direct line-of-sight conditions. The payload capacity is up to 10 kilograms, and its integrated optical and infrared cameras allow for real-time tracking and identification of targets across varying operational conditions.

AeroVironment says the system can be launched at a rate of 4–5 drones per minute, enabling massed drone operations where needed.

The unveiling comes amid growing interest in loitering munitions worldwide. Recently, Spain's Ministry of Defense launched the Coincident Program, which seeks to fund the development of domestic kamikaze drones. The program calls for a flight range of at least 20 kilometers and a payload of no less than 3.5 kilograms, tapping into dual-use civilian technologies.

Selected Spanish companies and institutions will be tasked with developing a demonstrator model to match the evolving requirements of the Spanish Armed Forces.