Loitering Munition
Anduril Altius-600
The Anduril Altius-600 is a tube-launched unmanned aircraft and loitering munition made by Anduril Industries in the United States. Originally developed by Area-I, which Anduril bought in 2021, it was supplied to Ukraine in 2022 in its Altius-600M form.
United States|Anduril IndustriesOverview
The Altius-600 is launched from a tube on the ground, from vehicles, ships or aircraft, including helicopters and C-130-type transports. Its wings fold out after launch and an electric propeller drives it. Anduril cites more than 4 hours of endurance, about 440 km of range and a payload of about 2.7 kg, with a weight of roughly 12 kg, all approximate. Electro-optical and infrared sensors and radio relays feed Anduril’s Lattice software, which can manage several drones, and the system can operate in swarms.
The plain Altius-600 is an ISR sensor platform, while the Altius-600M carries a warhead and can crash into a target. The larger Altius-700 and Altius-700M are siblings. The US Army and Special Operations Command have tested or used it, and the US supplied the 600M to Ukraine in 2022, though Western media reports describe limited and unverified results. Production is in the United States, and Anduril has announced expanded Arsenal manufacturing. Unit price is not published, with estimates in the tens of thousands of dollars. Taiwan has reportedly been interested.
Key Specifications
Variants
The Altius-600 is the unarmed ISR version with sensors and radio relays.
The Altius-600M is the loitering munition version that carries a warhead.
The Altius-700M is the larger sibling, also with a warhead.
Operators
United States
UkraineFrequently Asked Questions
How much does the Altius-600 cost?
The Anduril Altius-600 has no officially published price. Estimates are in the tens of thousands of US dollars per unit, and the cost varies by version.
What is the range of the Altius-600?
The Anduril Altius-600 has a range of about 440 km and an endurance of more than 4 hours. These figures are cited by Anduril and should be treated as approximate.
Is the Altius-600 a kamikaze drone?
The Anduril Altius-600M is a kamikaze-type loitering munition that can crash into a target and detonate. The plain Altius-600 does not carry a warhead and is an ISR platform.
Altius-600 vs Switchblade 600: what is the difference?
The Anduril Altius-600 is a tube-launched aircraft that can also be launched from helicopters and ships, with a 4-hour endurance. The AeroVironment Switchblade 600 is a rival loitering munition in the same class.
Does Ukraine use the Altius-600?
Ukraine has used the Anduril Altius-600M, which the United States supplied in 2022. Western media reports on its effectiveness are unverified, and some mention limited results.
Does Türkiye use the Altius-600?
Türkiye does not use the Anduril Altius-600. Its loitering munitions are the STM Kargu-2 and Alpagu, which are smaller loitering munitions and not direct rivals.
