It was an extensive military aid package that Joe Biden promised Ukraine in its fight against Russia almost three weeks ago: The American President promised weapons and other equipment worth 800 million dollars.

The pack includes 800 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and 2000 Javelin anti-tank weapons.

In addition, a comparatively new type of drone, which has recently been used more frequently, is also intended to help the Ukrainians: They are not drones that fire missiles and then return to their starting point, but aircraft that are the weapon themselves and destroy themselves if they do hit their target.

So these are practically flying bombs, they are also called kamikaze or suicide drones.

The drones that the Americans are now supplying to Ukraine are called "Switchblade" and are manufactured by the Californian defense company Aerovironment.

They were first deployed in Afghanistan in 2011, and to date the US armed forces have placed orders for them well in excess of $100 million.

There are two variants: the smaller Switchblade 300 weighs less than three kilograms, fits in a backpack and is suitable for infantry.

Launching from a tube and then expanding to its full size, it can fly for up to 15 minutes and has a range of ten kilometers.

With "wave function"

The significantly larger Switchblade 600 model has also been around for almost a year and a half. It weighs more than 20 kilograms and can fly for more than 40 minutes and 40 kilometers.

It can be used to destroy larger targets such as armored vehicles.

It has not been officially said which model the American government is supplying to Ukraine.

Kamikaze drones like Switchblade are also often described as "Loitering Munition".

This means they can circle in the air until a target is found, then dive down onto it.

According to their manufacturer, they are difficult to detect and allow you to hit precise targets that are out of sight of your launch point.

They can be piloted from the ground, but also able to find a target themselves.

The devices have a “wave-off” function that can be used to stop an attack shortly before it detonates – this is intended to help minimize collateral damage.

After such an interruption, a flight can also be resumed again.

Aerovironment, the manufacturer of the Switchblade drones, is a comparatively small armaments specialist, with sales of almost $400 million in its most recent fiscal year.

However, the use of its aircraft in Ukraine has brought the company considerable investor attention on the stock exchange: Since Biden announced military aid, the share price has risen by more than a quarter.

Overall, the company is valued at $2.4 billion.