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

GA-ASI and AeroVironment Complete First-Ever Air Launch of Switchblade 600 from MQ-9A UAS

Release of Smaller Loitering Munition Further Validates Large UAS as Motherships  From General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. SAN DIEGO – 10 September 2025 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and AeroVironment (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) collaborated on the air launch of a Switchblade 600 loitering munition (LM) from a GA-ASI Block 5 MQ-9A unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The flight testing took place from July 22-24 at the U.S. Ar…

General Atomics, AeroVironment Demonstrate Loitering Munition Launch From MQ-9 Drone - Defense Daily

General Atomics and AeroVironment [AVAV] on Wednesday said they recently partnered to launch a Switchblade 600 loitering munition from an MQ-9A long endurance drone, the first ever launch of the […]

General Atomics and AeroVironment achieve first air launch of Switchblade 600 from MQ-9A drone

The companies successfully released two loitering munitions, one with an inert warhead and one with a high-explosive round. Following launch, control of the Switchblade was transferred from an operator at the MQ-9A’s ground control station to a user located closer to the operational area.     “This cooperative effort showcased how combining different unmanned technologies could really provide value and effects to the warfighter,” said GA-ASI Pre…

GA-ASI + AeroVironment complete 1st air launch of Switchblade 600 from an MQ

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and AeroVironment (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) collaborated on the air launch of a Switchblade 600 loitering munition (LM) from a GA-ASI Block 5 MQ-9A unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The flight testing took place from July 22-24 at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Grounds Test Range and marked the first time a Switchblade 600 has ever been launched from an unmanned aircraft. After successfully integrating …

GA-ASI and AeroVironment Complete First-Ever Air Launch of Switchblade 600 From MQ-9A UAS

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