{"id":35199,"date":"2018-10-09T13:17:00","date_gmt":"2018-10-09T13:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/uncategorized\/2018\/10\/09\/general-dynamics-aerovironment-join-forces-to-give-combat-vehicles-their-own-drones\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:21:04","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:21:04","slug":"general-dynamics-aerovironment-join-forces-to-give-combat-vehicles-their-own-drones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/unmanned\/2018\/10\/09\/general-dynamics-aerovironment-join-forces-to-give-combat-vehicles-their-own-drones\/","title":{"rendered":"General Dynamics, AeroVironment join forces to give combat vehicles their own drones"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 General Dynamics and AeroVironment are teaming up to integrate ground combat vehicles<\/a> with drone technology in preparation for two high-stakes Army and Marine Corps vehicle programs<\/a>, the companies announced Oct. 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General Dynamics Land Systems and AeroVironment plan to network GD\u2019s entrant for the Marine Corps\u2019 armored reconnaissance vehicle, or ARV, program with the drone makers\u2019 Switchblade missile and the Shrike 2 unmanned aerial system still in development by the company, said Dave Sharpin, AeroVironment\u2019s head of tactical UAS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first tests will begin this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recently unveiled Shrike 2 is a hybrid vertical-takeoff-and-landing drone, with rotors that allow it to take off and land like a helicopter. It also has fixed wings to provide more endurance and the ability to fly like an airplane. It \u201cwill be the eyes in the sky, going out and doing the reconnaissance mission, finding things, reporting them back, and then once we have that situational awareness, then a Switchblade will be launched if we want to go do something kinetic with the target,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click to read more from the AUSA conference!<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hope, Sharpin said, is to fill a need expressed by the Marine Corps but also relevant to the Army \u2014 a vehicle that can interface with a UAS that is organic to it, as well as a new way to strike targets that would be found by the drone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, the companies believe they can parlay that concept into offerings for both the Marine Corps\u2019 ARV program as well as the Army\u2019s Next Generation Combat Vehicle<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe purpose of this partnership is to deliver a decisive advantage to ground combatants, to see first and strike first, across the tactical landscape,\u201d Don Kotchman, U.S. vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Land Systems, said in a statement. \u201cWe\u2019re confident this integrated capability, expanding the warfighter\u2019s situational awareness, survivability and over-the-next-obstacle lethality, will define the market for years to come.”<\/p>\n\n\n\t