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CapabilityB3likely · moderate confidenceRU · adversary

US Army tests PERCH 2.0 turret-launched Switchblade system

Bottom line

The US Army has received the PERCH 2.0 prototype, enabling Abrams tank crews to launch Switchblade 300/600 loitering munitions from the turret without dismounting.

Why it matters

This integration could significantly alter combined arms tactics for NATO armored units, allowing tanks to conduct autonomous reconnaissance and strike missions without exposing crew to small arms or shrapnel.

The US Army has received the PERCH 2.0 prototype developed by General Dynamics and AeroVironment, which allows M1A2 Abrams tank crews to launch Switchblade 300 and 600 loitering munitions directly from the turret without exiting the vehicle. This capability integrates tactical drone strikes with main battle tank operations, potentially enhancing crew survivability and reducing engagement time against time-sensitive targets.

Pictures from the cited posts

Evidence — 1 independent origin

  • Telegram channel, Russian side:Беспилот (Bespilot — UAV, drones, robots)source Borigin t.mearchive
    Original text (excerpt)

    Танк с дронами-камикадзе в башне: США показали PERCH 2.0 для Abrams ▶️ Соединенные Штаты продемонстрировали систему PERCH 2.0, которая позволяет экипажу M1A2 Abrams запускать барражирующие боеприпасы прямо из башни, не покидая защищенной машины. Её разрабатывает General Dynamics

NamedPERCH 2.0M1A2 AbramsSwitchblade 300Switchblade 600General Dynamics Land SystemsAeroVironmentTopicsdronesmanufacturing

Related findings

← Latest findings · All findings from October 2026

History · version 1 · first published · last substantive update

Cite this finding
Robot War (2026). US Army tests PERCH 2.0 turret-launched Switchblade system. Hetzner OSINT, 26 October 2026. https://robotwar.io/osint-hetzner/2026-10-26--us-army-tests-perch-2-0-turret-launched-switchblade-system/

@misc{robotwar-2026-10-26--us-army-tests-perch-2-0-turret-launched-switchblade-system,
  title = {US Army tests PERCH 2.0 turret-launched Switchblade system},
  author = {Robot War},
  howpublished = {\url{https://robotwar.io/osint-hetzner/2026-10-26--us-army-tests-perch-2-0-turret-launched-switchblade-system/}},
  year = {2026},
  note = {Hetzner OSINT finding B3}
}

Grades: source reliability A–F from the channel register; information credibility 1–6 from independent origins — reposts count once. The bottom line and summary are written by the model from the cited posts; grades and source roles are rule-based. Methodology 2026-10-18.v7 · Corrections · JSON · RSS · API performance

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