Small but deadly baguette bomb gives Ukraine upper hand in battle of drones

US-made Switchblade device can be carried in a backpack and could be critical in next phase of war

UKRAINE is preparing to unleash baguette-sized “loitering” bombs that can scout out Russian targets.

The US-made Switchblade weapon can be carried in a backpack and is capable of flying over enemy lines to identify and then hit battlefield command and control headquarters.

The introduction of the lightweight weapon, which is controlled from a tablet computer, has increased the threat to high-profile Russian generals, seven of whom are believed to have been killed by Ukrainian forces already.

Joe Biden, the US president, has agreed to supply Ukraine with 100 Switchblades at a cost of around £600million, in a move that will escalate the hi-tech nature of the war.

The device, which weighs about 5.5Ib and is fired from a tube with its wings unfolding as it climbs, was used by American soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq. Unlike most missiles, the miniature aircraft powered by a small propeller does not require a target before being launched. Instead, it flies at about 60mph for up to 15 minutes, using an optical camera relaying video of the terrain to its controller.

When its remote pilot locks it on to a target, the Switchblade accelerates to 100mph before diving and exploding on impact.

Military analysts say the weapon, which also has onboard infrared thermal imaging, offers Ukrainian commanders major advantages because a single flight provides surveillance and reconnaissance intelligence.

More importantly, it is capable of pursuing its quarry even if evasive action is taken. And, unlike more traditional weapons, it can abort a mission if the controller decides the intended target should be spared.

Ukraine has used Javelin anti-tank missiles, also supplied by the US, to great effect in the early part of the war.

But the weapon requires a bulky launcher and has a range of only two and a half miles. The far lighter Switchblade, comparable in size to a baguette, has a range of six miles.

Although the Switchblade would be ineffective against a tank or armoured vehicles, it is capable of targeting troops, artillery batteries and is thought to be effective against makeshift military encampments.

As a result it is believed it will become critical to the next phase of the war.

It may prove invaluable in eroding yet further the low morale among Russian troops because soldiers are left feeling exposed to sudden attack.

The Switchblade’s introduction has led to claims Ukraine is winning the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) arms race against Russia.

After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, sanctions and trade embargoes prevented its military from procuring the latest cutting-edge technologies in drone development.

Despite that, it is estimated the Kremlin invested nearly £7 billion into such technology. However, its research and development companies in military hardware were relatively isolated due to the sanctions.

Russia does have the Zala Kyb, another loitering munition, which can dive towards a target before detonating.

Ukraine had about 30 Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones that can each unleash four laser-guided missiles.

In the early phase of the war this large aircraft – it has a 40ft wingspan – helped thwart the Russian invasion by targeting tanks and devastating vital Russian supply lines.

However, the TB2 requires a lot of support, including runways for take-off and landing.

It is also thought Ukraine has used Polish-made Warmate drones, which weigh 11Ib, can fly three miles and, again, dive at targets before exploding.

‘It may prove invaluable in eroding yet further the low morale among Russian troops’