US poised to award contract for longer-range kamikaze drones for Ukraine 

The US Army is poised to award a contract for longer-range, harder-hitting kamikaze drones for Ukraine more than five months after they were pledged to the fight against Russia, according to the Pentagon, Report informs, citing Defence News.

The research and development contract for 10 of the Switchblade 600 drones in question, made by AeroVironment, is expected in the next 30 days, Pentagon spokeswoman Jessica Maxwell said in an email to Defense News.

“This Switchblade capability can be instrumental as the Ukrainians are preparing their attack on Kherson and Crimea because they can be launched beyond the range of Russian systems and inflict damage on Russian infrastructure,” said Samuel Bendett, an expert on Russian drones with the Center for Naval Analyses and Center for New American Security.

The 300 variant weighs 5.5 pounds, can fly 10 kilometers and loiter for 15 minutes, while the 120-pound 600 version can fly 40 kilometers and loiter in the air for 40 minutes, according to the manufacturer.