He Switchblade 600 is the latest variant of the Switchblade family of loitering ammunition manufactured by AeroVironment. Presented in 2020, it is one of the most fearsome kamikaze drones in the United States and now has a direct rival in the form of China. According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), North Industries Group Corporation Limited (Norinco) has unveiled a new long-range kamikaze drone that rivals the Switchblade 600 and surpasses it in some aspects.
The new drone, of which no specific name is mentioned to refer to it, it has a scope of 200 kma cruising speed of 144 km/h and can remain in the air for about 105 minutes. The drone can also act as loitering ammunitionflying in the area of a possible target for a time before impacting.
In comparison, the Switchblade 600 can fly at a cruising speed of around 110km/hhas a maximum flight time of 40 minutes and a scope of 40km. However, its ‘attack’ speed can reach up to 185km/hand its reach can extend to 80 km.
‘Loitering munitions… like the US Switchblade series, combine the features of drones and missiles with advantages such as a long flight time, a wide range of action, flexible use and diverse penetration styles’, explained the research team of the Xian Institute of Modern Control Technology from Norinco.
According to SCMP, both models use a two-bladed folding propeller. However, the Chinese team claims to have addressed some of the inefficiencies of this designwhich has allowed extend flight time. They also noted that these small loitering munitions could be produced at low costwhich gives China an advantage in a possible drone arms race. Norinco is one of the main contractors of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Based in Xian, employs 20,000 people and has production facilities throughout China.
The Norinco research team, led by Li Haichengused techniques of artificial intelligence to address complex problems that traditional research and development often struggles with. He also claims that kamikaze drones have distinctive flight characteristics that require dedicated ground testing facilities.
The PLA has not fought a battle in decades, raising questions about the actual performance of Chinese drones. However, The use of drones and Chinese-made parts in conflicts such as Ukraine has helped increase confidence in them all over the world. And American drones are not exempt from criticism either.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Ukrainian forces found them ‘failed and expensive’which led to an increase in the use of Chinese-made drones instead. However, China has begun to restrict the export of its drones and components in an attempt to curb its military use while the conflict continues.
Although it has not been explicitly mentioned, the new drone has a Enough range to reach Taiwanso it represents another threat to its defenses.