GA‑ASI and AeroVironment complete first air launch of Switchblade 600 from MQ‑9A, validating UAS 'mothership' strike concept

General Atomics and AeroVironment executed the first-ever air launch of a Switchblade 600 loitering munition from a Block 5 MQ‑9A during July 22–24 tests at Yuma Proving Grounds. Two munitions—one inert, one high‑explosive—were released, with SATCOM control and transfer to ground operators, extending UAS strike range.

Discovered 2025-09-10T13:45:19.639844-07:00 | 2025-09-10T13:45:19.639844-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The test (July 22–24) proved a Block 5 MQ‑9A can carry, launch and SATCOM‑control Switchblade 600s—two releases (one inert, one HE) demonstrated hands‑off transfer of control to ground operators, extending strike reach and options in contested airspace.
  • This validates the large‑UAS "mothership" concept and supports employment of remote airborne launch points, aligning with recent moves toward integrated crewed–uncrewed strike groups such as the Royal Navy's plan to field carrier‑launched uncrewed jets (see Royal Navy to field jet‑powered carrier‑launched uncrewed aircraft next year).
  • The integration complements efforts to standardize plug‑and‑play drone weapons and long‑range kill chains, building on the U.S. Army's common drone‑weapon interface work and demonstrations of beyond‑line‑of‑sight unmanned lethality (see U.S. Army Defines Common Drone‑Weapon Interface for Plug‑and‑Play Payloads and MQ‑20 Avenger Simulates Beyond‑Line‑of‑Sight Kill Chain).

Reported By

unmannedsystemstechnology.com defenceconnect.com.au indiastrategic.in defenseadvancement.com news.defcros.com edrmagazine.eu
Sources Tracked
30
First Seen
2025-09-10T13:45:19.639844-07:00
Latest Update
2025-09-15T23:41:11.772101-07:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

Hype groups these reports into one evolving story so you can compare coverage without losing the thread.

Related Coverage