Northrop Grumman releases new details and video of its loitering Jackal munitions

Northrop Grumman is developing the Jackal, a next-generation turbojet-powered missile designed for precision strikes. This versatile weapon has modular capabilities that allow it to carry both lethal and non-lethal payloads.

Northrop Grumman debuted its new Jackal loitering munition at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) in May 2022 in Tampa, Florida. According to information released at the time, Jackal has a speed of over 600 km/h, a range of 100 kilometers with a stay time of 15 minutes. Its open architecture design allows for flexible integration of various warheads, electronic warfare (EW) systems, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) equipment. The system also supports a modular payload capacity of up to 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms).

Developed in collaboration with AeroVironment, the precision strike missile features avionics and mission control capabilities refined using the framework of the Switchblade 600, another of AeroVironment’s loitering munitions.

The aim of the Jackal is to bridge the gap between existing loitering munitions such as the Switchblade 300 and 600, thanks to greater range, speed and versatility: while the Switchblade 300 is ideal for close-range precision strikes and the Switchblade 600 is better Suitable for anti-tank missions, the Jackal offers a balance of speed, endurance and payload capacity as it can carry heavier payloads over longer distances while maintaining the flexibility required for dynamic combat environments.

Additionally, Jackal’s enhanced endurance makes him an excellent choice for ISR missions, allowing him to stay in contested environments and gather valuable intelligence for extended periods of time before striking.

Advanced features

“Today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape requires multi-domain solutions that are flexible, survivable, and can respond tactically to meet these needs. “Jackal is a next-generation precision strike missile that provides critical stand-off capabilities for launches from airborne and sea platforms with a range of over 100 km in highly contested environments,” says a new video about the loitering munition posted by Northrop Grumman on YouTube was published.




Turbojet propulsion, capable of speeds of over 600 km/h, dramatically reduces time to target and enables rapid response to emerging threats. This speed is critical to maintaining tactical advantage in dynamic combat situations.

The Jackal’s next-generation flight control system offers advanced features such as GPS-free navigation and an automatic targeting mechanism tuned for target detection, acquisition and enhanced situational awareness. Thanks to its modular payload design, the Jackal can deliver both lethal and non-lethal effects, outperforming conventional missile systems and other loitering munitions. Payload options include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare (EW) suites and advanced warheads, with an emphasis on survivability.

The Jackal is capable of extremely agile flight, acts autonomously and navigates through preset waypoints. It can be redeployed mid-flight, providing flexibility in mission objectives, and once a target is identified, the Jackal quickly accelerates to intercept. This state-of-the-art precision strike munition delivers unparalleled speed, range and accuracy, setting new standards for tactical dominance on the battlefield.

Future prospects and military interest

As reported in an article by Shepard Media As part of the Jackal’s 2023 development, the loitering munition underwent a series of successful test flights in November 2022. Further demonstrations are planned for 2024. These tests aimed to further refine the system and demonstrate its capabilities consistent with potential U.S. military requirements.

The development and unveiling of Jackal comes at a time when the use of loitering munitions is increasing worldwide following extensive use in the Ukraine conflict. The Switchblade family of missiles has already proven its effectiveness in Ukraine, while the Russian military has used a wide range of loitering munitions, including Iranian-made, in its campaign against Ukraine from the outset. We recently reported on Taiwan’s Hsiang delta-wing pusher-propeller kamikaze drone, which is used primarily in a radar-killing and deception variant

As warfare evolves, systems like the Jackal are expected to play an increasingly important role on the battlefield, providing modern militaries with a cost-effective and adaptable option for precision strikes and surveillance.