AV Develops next-gen MAYHEM 10 Kamikaze Drone With 100 km Range

AeroVironment, better known as AV, has introduced a new launched effects system, expanding its portfolio of loitering munitions with the debut of the MAYHEM 10, a multi-role platform built for use across air, ground, and maritime operations.

The system builds on the company’s Switchblade family but moves into a broader mission set. Rather than focusing on a single function, MAYHEM 10 can be configured for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, communications relay, or precision strike. Its modular payload design allows operators to switch between these roles depending on mission needs.

“MAYHEM 10 sets a new standard for operational versatility and survivability on the modern battlefield,” said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at AeroVironment. “By integrating advanced autonomy, multi-domain payloads, and rapid adaptability, we empower our forces to sense, disrupt, and strike with precision—even in the most contested environments. This breakthrough allows commanders to extend their reach, accelerate decision-making, and maintain superiority without putting crews or high-value assets at unnecessary risk.”

The platform is built for quick deployment and can be assembled and launched in less than five minutes. AeroVironment says it carries payloads of up to 10 pounds, with an operational range of up to 100 kilometers and an endurance of around 50 minutes.

MAYHEM 10 is designed to operate from a range of launch points, including ground vehicles, aircraft, and maritime platforms. Its self-contained launcher supports use by dismounted teams as well as mobile units, giving operators flexibility in how and where the system is deployed.

The company has built the system around a Modular Open Systems Approach, allowing third-party payloads to be integrated as requirements change. This architecture is intended to keep the platform adaptable over time, rather than locking it into a fixed configuration.

Control is handled through AeroVironment’s Tomahawk Grip controller and the AV_Halo COMMAND interface, which provide a common operating environment across different mission types. This setup also supports the use of multiple systems working together in coordinated operations.

“MAYHEM 10 changes how forces generate combat power by enabling collaborative swarm operations at scale,” said Brian Young, Senior Vice President of Loitering Munitions at AeroVironment. “Operators can employ multiple systems to work collaboratively—expanding coverage, overwhelming defenses, and executing synchronized effects across the battlespace—without increasing platform risk or force concentration.”

Autonomy plays a central role in the system’s operation. An AI-driven processor supports independent mission execution, including in environments where communications and navigation may be disrupted. AeroVironment says the system is built to remain effective under jamming, spoofing, and degraded signal conditions. Navigation and communications are supported by M-Code GPS and a Silvus datalink, while a MANET-based mesh network provides command-and-control links with a range of 25 to 40 kilometers. These features are intended to maintain connectivity even when traditional links are under pressure. The forward section of the system is designed as a removable module, allowing payloads to be swapped quickly. This setup gives operators the ability to reconfigure the platform between missions without changing how it is launched or controlled.

AeroVironment’s latest system builds on its experience with Switchblade while moving into a wider operational space. By combining modular payloads, autonomous operation, and multi-domain launch capability, MAYHEM 10 is positioned as a tool for missions that demand both flexibility and rapid response.