The U.S. Army has selected AeroVironment’s Switchblade 400 loitering munition for the LASSO program on May 4, 2026, which signals a major shift away from traditional infantry anti-tank missiles toward portable precision-strike drones designed for fast-moving combat. The decision reflects battlefield lessons from Ukraine, where loitering munitions increasingly outperformed conventional anti-tank weapons by extending engagement range, accelerating target kill timelines, and reducing the logistical burden on frontline infantry units. Read full defense news at this link...
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| The U.S. need for the loitering munitions stemmed from lessons of the Russia–Ukraine war; current infantry brigade combat teams lacked organic anti‑tank weapons while both sides in Ukraine were exploiting kamikaze drones. (Picture source: AeroVironment) |