The US Army will deploy unmanned ‘kamikaze’ drones to help identify suspected militants in combat-stricken areas.

The drones, also known as Switchblade, are man-portable tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed to provide soldiers with real-time aerial imagery in the battlefield.

The miniature drone can be fired using a launch tube or its electric motor to the target area to capture and relay the imagery back to the troops for target identification.

Once the target is confirmed, the Switchblade’s explosive charge can be armed and sent to the human target for elimination, according to Agence France-Presse.

The army had awarded a $4.9m contract to AeroVironment for the first fleet of Switchblades earlier this year.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.