Exclusive: U.S. Army revolutionizes squad tactics with combat use of Switchblade 600 loitering munition.

At the end of August 2025, the U.S. Army conducted a high-intensity field exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany, integrating the Switchblade 600 loitering munition as a frontline asset under the recently launched LASSO program (Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance). Held on August 26, 2025, as part of the large-scale exercise Saber Junction, the drills marked the operational deployment of the Switchblade 600 in its new role, aimed at giving infantry squads a tactical edge through organic, precision-guided firepower once reserved for higher-echelon formations.
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U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jared Baskeyfield, assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, prepares to launch a Switchblade 600 loitering munition under the Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program during a live-fire exercise at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany, August 26, 2025, as part of Saber Junction. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The Switchblade 600, developed by the American Company AeroVironment, is a man-portable, tube-launched loitering munition system capable of engaging both static and moving targets with pinpoint accuracy. It is equipped with an anti-armor warhead derived from the Javelin missile, allowing it to destroy light and medium armored vehicles. With a range of over 40 kilometers and a loiter time exceeding 40 minutes, the Switchblade 600 is designed to silently stalk its target before delivering a precision strike from above. It carries a high-resolution EO/IR gimbal camera suite, GPS/INS guidance, and a secure data link that enables real-time video and control via a ruggedized tablet, making it ideal for both reconnaissance and strike missions at the squad or platoon level.

The U.S. Army’s push to integrate loitering munitions like the Switchblade 600 through the LASSO program is driven by a need to close capability gaps identified during recent conflict assessments, particularly in urban and hybrid warfare environments. Traditional fire support methods such as artillery and air strikes often involve delays and require coordination across multiple command layers. In contrast, loitering munitions offer immediate responsiveness, lower collateral damage risk, and precision effects with minimal logistical burden. Their ability to loiter silently over the battlefield provides persistent ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) and immediate strike capabilities, enabling rapid sensor-to-shooter cycles critical in fast-moving engagements.

The emergence of loitering munitions as a decisive battlefield tool was accelerated by lessons learned from recent global conflicts where such systems have repeatedly demonstrated disproportionate tactical impact. From Ukraine to the Caucasus, small units equipped with loitering munitions have been able to hold off or even defeat superior mechanized forces by exploiting their stealth, endurance, and lethality. Recognizing this paradigm shift, the U.S. Army has moved quickly to integrate these technologies into its own force structure to avoid over-reliance on legacy systems and maintain operational dominance against peer and near-peer adversaries.

During the August 2025 exercise, the Switchblade 600 was used not just to target enemy armor but also to deny terrain, disrupt logistics nodes, and suppress command elements in simulated enemy formations. Troops were able to launch, maneuver, and strike with minimal exposure, reinforcing how loitering munitions can enable fire-and-forget precision attacks from covered positions. Their portability also ensures that they can be deployed rapidly in austere environments without dedicated launch platforms or complex logistical chains.

The LASSO program (Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance), overseen by the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), was initiated in 2023 as part of a fast-track effort to equip light infantry units with organic precision strike capabilities. Unlike traditional acquisition programs, LASSO is structured as a rapid prototyping and fielding initiative aimed at bypassing lengthy procurement timelines. The objective is to deliver low-signature, loitering strike systems that can be used at the squad and platoon level with minimal training and no reliance on external fire support or air assets.

At the core of LASSO is the idea that infantry squads should be able to find, fix, and finish targets on their own using integrated sensors and weapons in a single package. This shift empowers small units to engage enemy armor, soft-skinned vehicles, and high-value targets well beyond the range of conventional squad weapons. The Switchblade 600 was selected as the lead system under LASSO due to its proven performance, maturity, and adaptability to dismounted operations.

What sets LASSO apart is its emphasis on operational flexibility, enabling soldiers to carry, launch, and strike autonomously in rapidly changing environments. Fielding under this program prioritizes ease of use, rapid employment, and modularity. The systems are being tested with various soldier-borne sensors and tactical radios to streamline targeting workflows and reduce cognitive load during engagements. This integration ensures that LASSO platforms can be seamlessly folded into modern multi-domain operations, especially in communications-contested or GPS-degraded environments.

With fielding already underway and the Switchblade 600 validated in live-force exercises, the LASSO program marks a foundational change in U.S. Army ground warfare doctrine. It redefines the role of the infantry squad from reactive element to independent strike team capable of precision engagements previously only possible at the battalion or brigade level. As adversaries continue to invest in anti-access and area denial capabilities, the LASSO program ensures U.S. ground forces retain a mobile, flexible, and deadly edge on tomorrow’s battlefield.