Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie

The Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie is an experimental stealthy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed and built by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions for the United States Air Force 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 XQ-222. The Valkyrie successfully completed its first flight on 5 March 2019 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.[1]

XQ-58 Valkyrie
The XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator on its inaugural flight, 5 March 2019 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona
Role Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
National origin United States
Manufacturer Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
First flight 5 March 2019
Status In development
Primary user United States Air Force

Design and development

The XQ-58 Valkyrie falls within the USAF Research Laboratory’s Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) portfolio, whose objectives include designing and building Unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) faster by developing better design tools and maturing and leveraging commercial manufacturing processes to reduce build time and cost.[1] The role of the LCAAT is to escort the F-22 or F-35 during combat missions, and to be able to deploy weapons or surveillance systems.[2][3]

The XQ-58 was designed to act as a "loyal wingman" that is controlled by a parent aircraft to accomplish tasks such as scouting, or absorb enemy fire if attacked. [4]

It must also be able to be deployed as part of a swarm of drones, with or without direct pilot control.

It features stealth technology with a trapezoidal fuselage with a chined edge, V-tail, and an S-shaped air intake.[3]

The first flight took place approximately 2.5 years from contract award. A total of five test flights are planned in two phases to evaluate system functionality, aerodynamic performance, and launch and recovery systems.[1]

On 23 July 2020, the Air Force awarded contracts to Kratos, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics authorizing the companies to compete for the Skyborg program, an effort to field an unmanned wingman cheap enough to sustain losses in combat but capable of supporting manned fighters in hostile environments; Kratos may use the XQ-58 as its submission, although it was developed separately under the Low Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator (LCASD) program[5][6][7] and another airframe might be submitted.[8] Kratos was further down-selected, along with Boeing and General Atomics, on 7 December 2020. Submissions are to be delivered by May 2021 for flight tests in July 2021.[9][10]

Specifications
The second XQ-58 Valkyrie taking off from Laguna Army Airfield.

Data from [11]

General characteristics

  • Length: 28 ft 10 in (8.8 m)
  • Wingspan: 22 ft 0 in (6.7 m)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 567 kn (652 mph, 1,050 km/h)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 0.85
  • Range: 2,128 nmi (2,449 mi, 3,941 km)
  • Service ceiling: 44,997 ft (13,715 m)

Armament

  • Hardpoints: 8: 2 weapon bays with 4 in each - with a capacity of up to 550 lb (250 kg),
  • Bombs: JDAM, Small diameter bomb

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
  1. "XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator completes inaugural flight". 88 Air Base Wing Public Affairs, Wright Patterson AFB. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  2. "Kratos to launch XQ-222 Valkyrie, UTAP-22 Mako at Paris Air Show 2017". 15 June 2017.
  3. Rogoway, Tyler. "More Details On Kratos' Optionally Expendable Air Combat Drones Emerge". The Drive. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  4. Liptak, Andrew (22 May 2019). "'Skyborg' could let F-35 and F-15 fighter jets control their own companion drones". The Verge. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  5. Four companies win contracts to build the Air Force’s Skyborg drone. Defense News. 24 July 2020.
  6. 4 Companies Move Forward in Skyborg Competition. Air Force Magazine]]. 24 July 2020.
  7. Air Force Chooses Four Contractors To Compete For Skyborg Drone. Breaking Defense. 24 July 2020.
  8. AF Will Choose Skyborg Prototypes This Summer. Breaking Defense. 28 July 2020.
  9. These 3 companies will build prototypes for the Air Force’s Skyborg drone. Defense News. 7 December 2020.
  10. Three Companies Win New Skyborg Prototyping Contracts. Air Force Magazine. 8 December 2020.
  11. "Kratos XQ-222 Valkyrie Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) - United States". www.militaryfactory.com.
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