The AeroVironment P550 is a runway-independent, battery-electric eVTOL reconnaissance drone built for the US Army's Long-Range Reconnaissance program, giving battalion commanders up to five hours of modular ISR, relay, electronic-warfare and strike capability.
The loitering-munition maker's entry into JIATF-401's Domestic Shield program turns a record quarter into a foothold in homeland counter-drone defense.
The Army is buying 82 runway-free reconnaissance drones for its battalions and wants them delivered within seven weeks, from the maker of the Switchblade munitions sent to Ukraine.
The Switchblade family of tube-launched, man-portable loitering munitions — the 300 for anti-personnel and the 600 for anti-armor — delivers precision strike with real-time operator oversight, and has been battle-proven in Ukraine.