Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (Kratos) has announced that its XQ-58A Valkyrie drone has flown with a pair of F-35s for the first time. The flight also tested a new suit of electronic attack (EA) systems.
The flight occurred in February of this year at the Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. An accompanying press release from Kratos indicates an as-yet-unknown variant of the XQ-58A, the MQ-58B.
The designation is interesting, as per some media reports. “M” is the prefix for “multi-mission” in the U.S. military-wide aircraft designation system.
Using “M” rather than “X” for the experiment also points to a platform for actual operational use. The “B” suffix presumably indicates this will be an electronic attack variant.
A major milestone for the XQ-58A
“The demonstration completes the first phase of the United States Marine Corps’ Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer Portfolio (PAACK-P) program. [The 40th Flight Test Squadron, 96th Test Wing, provided flight test support]. All flight test objectives were successfully met,” Kratos reports in its press release.
As for what the test involved, Kratos’ press release provided some details.
“The XQ-58A’s advanced EA payload autonomously detected, identified, and geolocated multiple tactically relevant targets of interest, transmitted emitter target track coordinates to collaborative assets, and successfully presented non-kinetic electronic attack effects against multiple emitters,” Kratos explained.
“The demonstration follows the award of a $22.9M ‘Phase 2? contract modification on December 4, 2023, for additional engineering development and flight test demonstrations,” Kratos’ release added.
It also marks a major milestone for the Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer Portfolio (PAACK-P) for various military divisions.
The Marine Corps has been conducting an experimentation program named PAACK-P, under which its small fleet of XQ-58As has been tested. This program is connected to a larger Marine aviation modernization initiative, Project Eagle.
The Marine Corps has been flying its XQ-58As from Eglin since October 2023, making it the second known operator of the Valkyrie. The first operator is the U.S. Air Force, which has used its XQ-58As for various advanced autonomy and research and development efforts since 2019.
The future of aerial warfare
The Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie is an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle operational since 2019. It can fly long distances at high speeds and does not require a runway for takeoff or landing.
The Valkyrie is highly versatile and can operate independently, as part of a swarm, or as a loyal wingman. It is also equipped with an internal bomb bay and wing stations. This allows it to carry flexible mission kit configurations and a mix of lethal weapons.
With its affordability, survivability, high-subsonic speeds, and maneuverability, the XQ-58A, Kratos explains, offers unmatched operational flexibility at an affordable price for multiple Department of Defense customers.
“MUX TACAIR promises to increase the lethality and survivability of our current crewed platforms,” said Lieutenant Colonel Bradley Buick, Cunningham Group Capabilities, Research, and Integration Officer. “These platforms are the future of air warfare,” he added.
The report carries some information that first appeared in The War Zone.
