US Army LMAMS (Switchblade)

The US Army's LMAMS (Lethal Miniature Aerial Munition System) program utilizes AeroVironment's Switchblade loitering munitions (categorized as missiles), primarily the Switchblade 300, to provide company-level precision strikes against beyond-line-of-sight targets like personnel, light vehicles, and IED teams, with features like man-in-the-loop control, wave-off capability, and minimal collateral damage. Initiated around 2012 with Marine Corps orders and adopted by the Army, the program reached operational status, evidenced by a $146 million contract and over 100 Switchblade 600 units ordered in 2023 under the related LASSO increment, with combat use reported as recently as 2024. From a defense-intelligence perspective, it offers strategic significance through portable, silent reconnaissance-strike integration, enhancing tactical lethality, counter-UAS roles, and rapid response without relying on larger assets, while maintaining commonality with other UAV ground stations.