AeroVironment demos Puma-Switchblade automated S2S
AeroVironment has successful conducted the demonstration of a Puma-Switchblade automated sensor-to-shooter (S2S) capability from a US Navy Coastal Riverine Craft, the company announced on 9 April.
The system uses the RQ-20B Puma Block 2 AE UAS equipped with the Mantis i45 sensor gimbal, with automatic coordinate transmission to the Switchblade lethal loitering missile to quickly and accurately observe and respond to threats on land or at sea.
During the demonstration, the UAS identified a series of fast-attack craft moving toward a host platform and transmitted their target coordinates to Switchblade. Once launched, Switchblade automatically flew to the fast-moving target and the operator defeated the threat by engaging it with an inert payload.
S2S combines Puma Block 2 and Switchblade with additional equipment – a ruggedised laptop with S2S software, a pocket DDL data link module and a larger gain antenna – to forward the Puma payload’s centre field of view electronically to Switchblade as its target coordinate. On the laptop, the simultaneous Puma and Switchblade video improves operator situational awareness and reduces the chances of mis-targeting.
Currently, S2S is a prototype with plans for product release in the fall of 2018. Currently fielded Switchblade systems can be upgraded with the S2S capability.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures]()
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
-
![L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms]()
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms
The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
-
![ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025]()
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025
India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
-
![Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market]()
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market
The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
