General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) has revealed more details of the ongoing efforts to arm M1A2 Abrams main battle tanks with the Switchblade series of loitering munitions, via a system known as Precision Effects & Reconnaissance, Canister-Housed (PERCH). After industry-funded trials, the company now hopes to win a U.S. Army contract for further tests of an improved version of the system.
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 armored 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.
As we have outlined in the past, the Switchblade 300 is a relatively small loitering munition, a type of weapon also often referred to as a kamikaze drone, and can carry a four-pound high-explosive warhead. It has a maximum range of just over six miles and can stay aloft for around 15 minutes.
A camera in the nose allows the operator to see what the drone sees right up until near the moment of impact. The human at the controls can make course corrections and even wave off an attack entirely for any reason, up until the final moments of flight. During the final part of its terminal attack run, once locked onto its target, the loitering munition is controlled autonomously in order to hit its target even after losing connection with its controller while very low over the ground.
The larger and longer-ranged Switchblade 600 can provide long-range, higher-endurance reconnaissance and strike capabilities and is equipped with the same multipurpose warhead used in Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). While the -300 model can go after light vehicles and personnel, the -600 can kill armor and destroy structures.
Both versions of the loitering munition have seen notable service in Ukraine, including against Russian armor.
The flexibility of the Abrams/Switchblade combo was proven at the MARS event, which saw users complete a complex obstacle breach, with the loitering munitions used for extended-range reconnaissance and over-the-horizon targeting of high-value targets.
“PERCH allows units to deploy Switchblade loitering munitions far forward on the battlefield while remaining covered and concealed themselves,” explained Jim Pasquarette, vice president for U.S. strategy and business development at GDLS, in a subsequent press release. “We have seen a lot of soldier interest in this readymade, effective concept, and we look forward to future demonstrations.”
Providing combat vehicles with an easily mounted, combat-proven loitering munition system is a quick way of extending their reach — and therefore their survivability. In the case of the Abrams, PERCH allows the tank to deliver precise effects through indirect fire, including engaging targets from protected positions at long distances, in which it would be unable to use its main gun.
At the same time, hosting these loitering munitions gives the tank an organic extended-range surveillance capability, meaning it can scout ahead for potential threats or other hazards without having to rely on information provided by other units. Pairing the loitering munitions with a drone relay/receiver that could stay airborne above the Abrams (even tethered to it) would provide a further benefit, extending the line-of-sight connectivity significantly, especially in complex terrain. Such a system could also provide localized overwatch and enhanced situational awareness.
Overall, the appearance of PERCH is long overdue.
Adding drones of this kind to armor gives them a new standoff indirect fire capability and a critical scouting tool, all in one modular and easy to use package.
While the long-term future of PERCH with the Army is not yet determined, it is notable that, while the MARS event involved a demonstration that was funded by industry, the next phase of testing looks like it will be paid for by the Pentagon.
Last week, it was reported that GDLS was in talks with the Army to provide an upgraded version of PERCH for testing in the second half of next year.
Advances planned for the new version include making it easier to reload the loitering munitions.
A GDLS spokesperson told Janes that, if a deal is struck, the upgraded PERCH would be integrated into a tank as part of the 1st Cavalry Division, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team’s Pegasus Forge exercise in the latter part of 2026.
Provided that it is a success, the next evaluation could pave the way to more Army Abrams tanks getting a Switchblade loitering munition capability via the PERCH launcher.
Regardless of progress with PERCH, it seems ever more likely that loitering munitions will become a standard fit on armor on the battlefields of the future.
Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com