General Dynamics to deliver PERCH 2.0 loitering-munitions prototypes for Abrams tanks to the Army this month

TLDR

• General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) will deliver four PERCH 2.0 loitering-munitions prototypes to the Army's 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division by the end of October.¹
• PERCH integrates onto Abrams tanks and Stryker vehicles, giving them beyond-line-of-sight surveillance and strike capability using AeroVironment's Switchblade loitering munitions.¹
• PERCH 2.0 swaps AeroVironment's SB600 for the smaller SB300 to increase onboard storage, and lets soldiers fire without opening a hatch.¹
• The Army funded the PERCH 2.0 prototypes through its existing Abrams System Technical Support contract, updated in August to add the purchase.¹

Four PERCH 2.0 prototypes from General Dynamics Land Systems are set to be delivered to the Army by the end of October, a company executive told Breaking Defense.¹ PERCH, short for Precision Effects and Reconnaissance-Canister-Housed, is a kit that integrates onto Abrams tanks and Stryker vehicles to give them beyond-line-of-sight surveillance, outfitted with AeroVironment's Switchblade loitering munitions.¹ The four prototypes will go to Fort Hood's 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, where soldiers will integrate them onto Abrams tanks for experimentation.¹

GDLS developed the first PERCH iteration using internal research and development funding, in response to reporting from the war in Ukraine, feedback from field commanders in Europe and discussions with senior leaders in III Armored Corps, according to Scott Taylor, GDLS's director of US growth.¹ After GDLS demonstrated that first version at last year's AUSA conference, the Army gave feedback that led to PERCH 2.0: enhanced beyond-line-of-sight technology, easier reloads, more storage space (achieved by switching from AeroVironment's SB600 to the smaller SB300), and the ability to fire without soldiers opening a hatch.¹ After evaluating the second version, the Army found the design "compelling" and asked for four prototypes, which GDLS says were purchased by the Army under the Abrams System Technical Support contract, with the PERCH 2.0 order added in August.¹

A GDLS spokesperson said developing the capability this way, ahead of a formal program of record, "allows us to move quickly to meet emerging needs."¹ The Army has shown growing interest in mounting loitering munitions on its armored vehicles beyond the Abrams, and is separately looking at similar integration for other platforms.¹

Why it matters: mounting Switchblade loitering munitions directly on Abrams tanks and Strykers would give armored formations their own organic beyond-line-of-sight strike capability instead of relying on separate drone units, and the Army funding four prototypes through an existing sustainment contract, rather than waiting for a formal program of record, shows how directly Ukraine battlefield lessons are now reshaping US armor doctrine.