The California-based firm AeroVironment has developed an autonomous, all-electric uncrewed aircraft called the P550, which can be rapidly converted from a reconnaissance unit to a strike drone on the battlefield without tools in minutes. AeroVironment specializes in small and medium drones, uncrewed ground vehicles, and loitering munitions like the Switchblade, and created the P550 as a candidate for the Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance program. The P550 is designed with modular open systems architecture principles to allow for quick hot swapping of payloads such as batteries, sensors, and other equipment in less than five minutes.
The P550 can carry up to 15 pounds of payload, fly for up to five hours on a single battery charge, and operate up to 60 kilometers. Users can easily slide new payloads into the P550, which latch into place, and remove most payloads by pushing a release button and pulling the unit out. For safety, the removal of unfired weapons requires the use of a tool. AeroVironment plans to build the P550 in Simi Valley, California, and expects to start delivering the first units in early 2025.
