// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
XQ-58 Valkyrie
The XQ-58 Valkyrie is an experimental, low-cost unmanned jet developed to fly alongside manned fighter aircraft. It's designed to act as a "loyal wingman," performing tasks like reconnaissance, carrying weapons, or serving as a decoy to enhance combat effectiveness while keeping manned aircraft out of harm's way.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
The XQ-58 Valkyrie, developed by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, is an experimental, stealthy, long-range unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) intended to serve as a "loyal wingman" for manned fighter aircraft, performing collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) roles such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and weapon deployment under autonomous or semi-autonomous control within contested environments for the US Air Force.
BACKGROUND
The Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie is an experimental stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed and built by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions for the United States Air Force's Low Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator (LCASD) program, under the USAF Research Laboratory's Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) project portfolio. It was initially designated the XQ-222. The Valkyrie completed its first flight on 5 March 2019 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Loyal Wingman
- Kratos Valkyrie
- UCAV
- Combat Drone
- Drone Fighter
USAGE NOTE
The Valkyrie is a prominent example of the U.S. Air Force's shift towards affordable mass and collaborative combat aircraft concepts.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to XQ-58 Valkyrie.
Kratos is the primary developer and manufacturer of the XQ-58 Valkyrie, a low-cost, high-performance uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed to act as a 'loyal wingman' or perform other autonomous missions.
The AFRL is the lead government agency behind the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) program, under which the XQ-58 Valkyrie was developed in partnership with Kratos, focusing on modular, affordable drone technology.
The U.S. Air Force is the primary customer and operational end-user for the XQ-58 Valkyrie, integrating it into various programs like Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and Skyborg to explore advanced autonomous teaming capabilities.
While not directly building the XQ-58, GA-ASI is a leading developer of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and is actively involved in developing competing and complementary 'loyal wingman' platforms and technologies crucial for the XQ-58's operational ecosystem, such as the MQ-20 Avenger and other CCA concepts.
Boeing's advanced development division, Phantom Works, is a key player in designing and developing advanced autonomous systems and 'loyal wingman' concepts, including the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, directly related to the operational role and technological advancements embodied by the XQ-58 Valkyrie.
Lockheed Martin's advanced development programs (Skunk Works) are deeply involved in next-generation air dominance (NGAD) and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiatives, researching and developing autonomous flight technologies and platforms that would integrate with or fulfill roles similar to the XQ-58 Valkyrie.