The U.S. Army’s Machine Assisted Rugged Sapper (MARS) event held earlier in 2025 at Fort Hood, Texas saw the debut of a new tactical capability for the Abrams main battle tank.
General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and AeroVironment (AV) collaborated in company funded effort to integrated extended range loitering munition capability into the M1A2 Main Battle Tank. Called PERCH (Precision Effects & Reconnaissance, Canister-Housed) system it integrates a launching system into the tank’s left turret sponson that allows for the firing of the AV Switchblade 300 Switchblade 600 loitering munitions. Outfitting of PERCH can be accomplished without welding or altering the vehicle. Future configurations will tie the launch system and munition into the existing tank fire controls and digital computer. PERCH significantly extends the tank crew’s ability to find and strike targets both beyond line-of-sight and at extended ranges.
In the MARS field demonstration, the PERCH was employed as part of a complex obstacle clearance operation. It employed Switchblade systems to provide beyond-line-of-sight reconnaissance and over-the-horizon targeting of high priority threats. Using the Switchblade the tank crew can effectively acquire and strike targets at up to ten kilometres with the Switchblade 300’s and forty-three kilometres with the Switchblade 600. Vice President for US strategy and business development Jim Pasquarette at General Dynamics Land System stated, “PERCH allows units to deploy Switchblade loitering munitions far forward on the battlefield while remaining covered and concealed.” The modular kit is compatible with both the M1A2 SepV3 Abrams tank and Stryker armoured vehicles.
Brian Young AV Senior Vice President Loitering Systems shared “Integrating Switchblade 300 and 600 into General Dynamics Land Systems platforms through the PERCH modular kit delivers immediate operational advantages – extending reach and enabling rapid, precise effects from protected positions”. The field demonstration showed a low-risk solution utilizing essentially proven, in production off-the-shelf systems. A production system could potentially be introduced on an accelerated timeline to enhance tactical capabilities of operational units. The straightforward nature of the PERCH integration and the demonstrated ease of Switchblade operation further would facilitate a rapid introduction of this capability and its forward fielding. GDLS and AV indicated their intent to further refinement of PERCH and its future demonstration.
by Stephen W. Miller
