AV Switchblade 600 Loitering Munition System Achieves Pivotal Milestone with First-Ever Air Launch from MQ-9A

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AV’s Switchblade 600 Air-launched from General Atomics’ MQ-9A [Credit: GA-ASI]

The week-long flight event, conducted in partnership with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), demonstrated Switchblade 600’s seamless integration with the MQ-9A and highlighted enhanced satellite communication (SATCOM) capabilities for launch, control, and engagement. This milestone reflects a major leap forward in networked, distributed operations—enabling global, beyond-line-of-sight command and control. With this achievement, Switchblade 600 continues to set the standard for scalable, expeditionary loitering munitions designed for both current and future mission domain environments.

“This successful demonstration is the result of close coordination, technical rigor, and shared commitment across teams,” said Wahid Nawabi, AV Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We appreciate the strong collaboration with GA-ASI in achieving this integration milestone. The ability to air launch and control Switchblade 600 from the MQ-9A UAS platform via SATCOM highlights the system’s adaptability and operational maturity—reinforcing our commitment to delivering advanced capabilities in direct support of the warfighter.”

Key Highlights from the Event:

• Seamless Integration: AV’s advanced systems integrated quickly with the MQ-9A Reaper, validating the compatibility and robustness of the technology.
• Enhanced Operations: The flight tests featured two successful launches, precision targeting, and real-time data transmission, including updated guidance, navigation, control systems, and high-performance payload integrations.
• SATCOM Capabilities: Emphasizing SATCOM for launch, control, and engagement, the event highlighted reliable over-the-horizon communication and precision targeting for the Switchblade 600.
• Long-Distance Lethality: The joint launched Switchblade 600 supports multi-domain operations with over-the-horizon lethality from standoff distances. It has the ability to travel beyond 175km when launched from 30,000 MSL with forward pass communication protocol.
• Improved Armament: The event showcased how existing fielded Switchblade 600 units’ capabilities have been enhanced, providing an advanced and powerful new armament for MQ-9s globally.
• Collaborative Effort: The event underscored the strong partnership between AV and GA-ASI, emphasizing collaborative execution and a joint commitment to advancing unmanned aerial capabilities.
• Technological Innovation: The successful flight tests reinforced AV’s leadership in delivering advanced, mission-ready UAS solutions for the modern warfighter.

AV’s Switchblade loitering munition systems are operationally deployed in combat–across multiple theaters by multiple customers. Integrating the Switchblade 600 with the MQ-9A extends its mission capabilities, expanding air-ground interoperability and providing advanced support for ground maneuver operations.

“This successful integration is more than a technical achievement—it’s a clear demonstration of what’s possible when proven systems are combined to create new operational advantages,” said Jimmy Jenkins, Executive Vice President, Precision Strike & Defense Systems for AV. “By enabling Switchblade 600 to launch from the MQ-9A with SATCOM control, we’re opening up new possibilities for long-range, precision effects that directly support the warfighter—anywhere, anytime.”

This milestone reinforces AV’s commitment to advancing the next generation of loitering munitions—delivering adaptable, scalable, and integrated capabilities to meet the demands of today’s dynamic operational environments.

About AV

AV (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities—built to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and tomorrow’s conflicts. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

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Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts; changes in the regulatory environment; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; failure to develop new products or integrate new technology with current products; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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Media Contact:

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AV’s Switchblade 600 Air-launched from General Atomics’ MQ-9A [Credit: GA-ASI]

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