The US Secretly Trains Ukrainians How To Use 'Kamikaze' Switchblade Drones That Can Destroy Tanks

Photo via US Marine Corps/ABC News

JAKARTA - The United States will send a sophisticated Switchblade anti-tank drone to Ukraine as a form of aid package against Russia. The US military is also reportedly training how to use this kamikaze drone.

The United States is reportedly training a small number of Ukrainians already in the US on how to use the state-of-the-art Switchblade anti-tank drone. This BBC information was provided by a senior US defense official.

This drone is touted as a very effective weapon. It can be put in a backpack and carried around. These drones are called kamikaze drones because they will hit a target while carrying a warhead at the end.

Has the ability to fly high in the sky to target targets. And can be controlled from a target miles away from the operator.

They are often called "kamikaze" drones, because of the way they hit their targets, carrying a warhead at the end.

Trained Ukrainians participate in professional military education programs. And they may receive more training on other systems before returning immediately to Ukraine.

This Switchblade drone is fairly new to the Ukrainian military. The White House says it will supply Ukraine with 100 Switchblade drones.

Quoted from ABC News, the Switchblade is not like the long-range Predator drone that has been the mainstay of the US weapon. Switchblades look similar to small planes and fire missiles at targets.

Even the Switchblade can be tucked into a backpack and fly straight at the target to detonate its tiny warhead.

Less than 2 feet long and weighing just 5.5 pounds, the Switchblade 300 can be launched from a small mortar-like tube, after which it can fly for up to 15 minutes. The larger Switchblade 600 is effective against armored targets and can fly for over 40 minutes, but weighs 50 pounds.