Iranian-Made Kamikaze Drone: Why Is It So Lethal?

This week, Russia targeted Ukraine's capital district of Kyiv with Iranian-made kamikaze drones. Attacks on Ukrainian cities have been a daily occurrence since the Crimean bridge was attacked, which is the only bridge to connect Crimea to the Russian mainland. Also, Ukrainian forces launch a counteroffensive aimed at retaking territory held by Russia.

But, what makes Iranian-made kamikaze drones such lethal weapons?

The aerial warriors, also known as "loitering munitions," have a comprehensive list of cutting-edge technological advantages that are chiefly responsible for their "deadly" character. 

After penetrating the targeted unit, armour, or building, the drones detonate themselves.

The weapon is capable of being able to linger in the air for hours and circle its targets with tactical precision by using real-time GPS, which is also responsible for low collateral damage alongside pinpoint targeting.

The manufacturer of the drone, AeroVironment claims that it travels at roughly 100 km/h while carrying cameras, guiding systems and explosives to dive-bomb into its target. It can fly for up to 15 minutes and 10 kilometres before attacking its target. 

The launching method of this drone begins with a tube and its small size allows it to take off from a variety of air, sea and ground platforms. The full kit, including the payload, launcher and travel bag, weighs around 2.5 kg.

Unlike other drones, the Switchblades have the agility and reactivity to abandon a mission and move to a different target, according to the operator, which ensures that strikes can be called off at the last minute if it harms something that is not the target.

According to the company, the larger switchblade is a next-generation modified loitering missile capable of destroying armoured targets such as tanks and can be deployed in less than 10 minutes.

The drone operator uses a tablet-based touchscreen fire-control system, with the option of manually piloting the missile.