Shahed-136 vs Switchblade 300
Shahed-136 and Switchblade 300 are both expended during attack, but their size, target and mission concepts are very different. Switchblade 300 is a small tactical loitering-munition reference; Shahed-136 is associated with longer-range one-way strike.
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Specifications side by side
| Specification | Shahed 136 | Switchblade 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | HESA (Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company) | AeroVironment |
| Country of origin | Iran | USA |
| Mission role | One-Way Attack / Loitering Munition / Strategic Infrastructure Strike | Loitering Munition / Anti-Personnel |
| Year introduced | 2021 | 2011 |
| Length | 3.5 m | 0.6 m |
| Wingspan | 2.5 m | 0.9 m |
| Height | 0.6 m | 0.1 m |
| Maximum speed | 185 km/h | 160 km/h |
| Published range | 2,500 km | 10 km |
| Endurance | 10+ hours | 15 minutes |
| Service ceiling | 4,000 m | 4,570 m |
| Payload | 40-50 kg warhead | Fragmentation warhead |
| Weight | 200 kg | 2.7 kg |
| Armament | 40-50 kg HE warhead (integral); some variants carry thermobaric or shaped-charge warheads | Fragmentation warhead (integral) |
Figures below come from the linked DroneStrike profiles and retain their configuration qualifiers. Maximum speed, range, endurance and payload are separate published figures, not a single achievable mission configuration. Range is not necessarily combat radius or datalink reach. Missing information is not zero, and a larger figure does not establish combat effectiveness.
The comparison that matters
Compare the tactical need, target and control concept before looking at range. A portable loitering weapon's control envelope and a pre-planned long-distance flight figure measure different constraints. The larger aircraft's warhead mass does not establish that it can perform the smaller system's target-selection task.
Understanding Shahed-136
Shahed-136 is a propeller-driven one-way attack aircraft. It delivers an expendable strike effect rather than returning from a sensor-and-weapons sortie like an armed reconnaissance UAV.
Separate reported range, actual demonstrated routes and warhead variants; common usage of loitering terminology does not prove every version has the same terminal seeker.
Understanding Switchblade 300
Switchblade 300 is a smaller tube-launched loitering munition intended for tactical use. Its portability and target class are more informative than comparing its endurance directly with large long-range one-way aircraft.
Keep original and later block configurations separate and do not substitute Switchblade 600's warhead or range.
How to read the specification table
The table compares the named Shahed-136 and Switchblade 300 catalog records, not an artificial combination of every advertised upgrade. Values are reproduced with their existing units and qualifications. Where figures describe different missions or payload types, treat them as context rather than calculating an unsupported performance advantage.
A published maximum is not necessarily achievable alongside every other maximum. Endurance may change with equipment, flight or sea conditions and transit requirements; a range figure may describe a different constraint from datalink reach. Unknown specifications remain unknown. For development programs and limited-disclosure systems, an intended capability must stay distinct from a completed trial or operational service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Shahed-136 and Switchblade 300?
Shahed-136 and Switchblade 300 are both expended during attack, but their size, target and mission concepts are very different. Switchblade 300 is a small tactical loitering-munition reference; Shahed-136 is associated with longer-range one-way strike.
Can the headline specifications establish a winner?
No. The mission, actual configuration, supported force and quality of evidence determine what the figures mean. Maximum speed, endurance and payload alone do not establish combat effectiveness, survivability or equal intelligence collection.
Where can I verify the versions and figures used here?
Follow the Shahed-136 and Switchblade 300 profile links for full descriptions, timelines and any listed source references. This guide preserves the catalog's uncertainty labels rather than presenting unpublished or weakly sourced figures as independently verified facts.
Sources and further reading
- Shahed-136: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
- Switchblade 300: full catalog profile, timeline and source notes
Specifications are drawn from the linked catalog profiles. Source dates and aircraft configurations may differ; see the individual profiles for their timelines and qualifications.