Kratos’ XQ-58A Valkyrie Tests Electronic Attack with F-35s
Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie Tests Electronic Attack with F-35s, marking the first joint operation between the unmanned aircraft and the advanced fighter jets. The test flight, which took place at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida in February, also served as a platform for evaluating a new suite of electronic attack (EA) systems.
Key Highlights of the Test Flight
- The test flight represents the culmination of the first phase of the United States Marine Corps’ Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer Portfolio (PAACK-P) program.
- The XQ-58A, potentially designated as MQ-58B, demonstrated its advanced electronic attack payload by autonomously detecting, identifying, and geolocating multiple tactically relevant targets. It successfully transmitted emitter target track coordinates to collaborative assets and executed non-kinetic electronic attack effects against multiple emitters.
- All flight test objectives were successfully achieved, marking a significant milestone for the PAACK-P program and demonstrating the operational readiness and effectiveness of the XQ-58A Valkyrie.
Implications and Future Prospects:
The successful integration of electronic attack capabilities on the XQ-58A Valkyrie underscores its potential as a versatile and lethal unmanned aerial vehicle in modern warfare scenarios.
The Marine Corps’ experimentation program, PAACK-P, aims to explore the operational capabilities of the XQ-58A and its role in enhancing military aviation modernization efforts, particularly under Project Eagle.
With its affordability, survivability, and operational flexibility, the XQ-58A Valkyrie presents a promising solution for multiple Department of Defense customers seeking advanced unmanned aerial systems for various mission requirements.
The collaboration between Kratos and the Marine Corps signifies the continued advancement of autonomous and collaborative warfare capabilities, shaping the future of aerial warfare with innovative technologies and operational concepts.
Also read this: Milipol Asia-Pacific & TechX Summit Innovates Homeland Security
Quote from Lieutenant Colonel Bradley Buick
Lieutenant Colonel Bradley Buick, Cunningham Group Capabilities, Research, and Integration Officer, emphasized the significance of platforms like the XQ-58A Valkyrie in increasing the lethality and survivability of current crewed platforms, highlighting their pivotal role in the future of air warfare.
The successful test flight marks a significant step forward in the development and deployment of advanced unmanned aerial systems with electronic attack capabilities, further enhancing the operational effectiveness of military forces in modern combat environments.
Keep connected with us at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram & TikTok for latest defense happening around the globe.