General Dynamics Land Systems and AeroVironment Successfully Demonstrate PERCH Loitering Munitions Launcher on M1 Abrams Tank

General Dynamics Land Systems has announced a successful demonstration of the Precision Effects & Reconnaissance, Canister-Housed (PERCH) system, codeveloped with strategic partner AeroVironment (AV), at the U.S. Army’s Machine Assisted Rugged Sapper (MARS) event at Fort Hood, Texas.

PERCH is a modular kit that integrates AV’s Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 loitering munitions into M1A2 Abrams SEPv3 main battle tanks and Stryker infantry carrier vehicles for beyond-line-of-sight surveillance and lethality. PERCH does not require welding nor cutting for mounting; instead, it replaces the Abrams’ loader sponson box and is bolted into place using existing attachment points. Future iterations will operate on existing vehicle computer systems.

At the MARS demo on Oct. 26-30, users completed a complex obstacle breach with the aid of beyond-line-of-sight reconnaissance and over-the-horizon targeting of high-value targets provided by a Switchblade 300 and a Switchblade 600 launched from an Abrams tank via PERCH.

“Integrating Switchblade 300 and 600 into General Dynamics Land Systems platforms through the PERCH modular kit delivers immediate operational advantages – extending reach and enabling rapid, precise effects from protected positions,” said Brian Young, senior vice president, loitering munitions systems at AV. “This demonstration showcased the expanded beyond-line-of-sight precision engagement capabilities available to our military by embedding mature loitering munition systems on combat vehicles. We value our partnership with GDLS and our shared commitment to delivering reliable, field-ready solutions to warfighters.”

GDLS also recently released a photo showing the launch of one of the loitering munitions from a pop-up canister mounted on the tank’s turret, where it replaces the standard loader sponson box.

These disclosures follow the demonstration of the PERCH system, which integrates the Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 loitering munitions into the M1A2 Abrams SEPv3, the latest variant of the tank in U.S. Army service. PERCH can also be integrated on Stryker 8×8 infantry carrier vehicles, and potentially other platforms. The launcher can hold three Switchblade 300s and one 600 at the same time.

PERCH was developed by GDLS and AeroVironment, which produces the Switchblade, and it was demonstrated from October 26-30 at the Army’s Machine Assisted Rugged Sapper (MARS) event at Fort Hood, Texas. MARS was spearheaded by the 36th Engineer Brigade and III Armored Corps, and focused on soldiers using autonomous technology to complete breaching operations, reducing the overall risk they were exposed to.

As a modular system, PERCH is designed to be simply bolted onto an armoured vehicle; in the case of the Abrams, it is fixed in place using existing attachment points. In the MARS event, PERCH was operated via a tablet interface, although GDLS says that future iterations will be fully integrated with existing vehicle computer systems.

By utilizing the Switchblade, PERCH provides the vehicle with not only extended-range surveillance but also over-the-horizon lethality. In certain circumstances, this can even be extended to beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS), in which the loitering munition is used in an autonomous, preprogrammed mode to fly a route and/or hit a fixed target.

Sources: General Dynamics Land Systems ; The War Zone