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AFRL/Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie to Begin Flight Tests This Autumn

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posted on Jul, 11 2018 @ 09:19 AM
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The Air Force Research Lab has been pursuing the concept of an 'attritable' UCAV. This is the idea an air force can build armed UAVs that are meant to be reused, but are not so expensive as they cannot be sent off to possibly, even probably suicide missions. They are meant to be used as the air frame, if the AFRL gets its way, for the Loyal Wingman program. The original program name is the "low cost attritable strike demonstrator."

In July 2016, Kratos won the competition to produce the UCAV. In May 2017, the AFRL released an image of an "artist's impression" of what the LCASD could look like.

And, now, the AFRL has stated the Kratos bird is named the XQ-58A Valkyrie and will take to the skies for its first flight this fall. Sadly, there's no picture released. However, there are some details that have been:


Details fo the XQ-58A design have not been released. The AFRL is careful to describe a rendering of the aircraft released last year as an “artistic concept” that may not accurately reflect the real vehicle. Full details of the configuration remain secret, but the AFRL confirms the XQ-58A is 9.14m (30ft) long with an 8.23m wingspan. It also can carry a 272kg (600lb) payload internally or mid-wing, the AFRL says.


from here.

The total payload is not much. That's really just enough for two small diameter bombs.

What's interesting, to me, is the wingspan vs length. This sucker is fairly big, but not huge: an F-35A is 50 ft long and 35 ft wingspan, a MQ-9 Reaper is 36 ft long and a wingspan of 65 ft, and the X-47B was 38 ft long and a wingspan of 62 ft. The Valkyrie is clearing NOT a flying wing. if anything it seems like a delta wing shape, based on the ratios. But that's borderline wild speculation there.

As a note, the USAF is signaling they don't want to turn the F-16s and other 4th gen fighters into Loyal Wingmen. I suspect its for multiple reasons. The maintenance issue for those aircraft is going to get worse: they are old airframes already by and large for those already had. And the cost of building new airframes just about compares to the F-35. Additionally, the new Valkyrie probably also has some better stealth characteristics, allowing the UCAV to get closer before detection than the old 4th gens have, but not so much as to drive the cost through the roof. So, while the Falcons and Eagles are going to be sent to the boneyard and the USAF will almost assuredly develop the tech for converting them into strike UAVs if needed, its clear preference is for new airframes that are much cheaper than the F-35 for the Loyal Wingman.



posted on Sep, 13 2018 @ 12:55 PM
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a reply to: anzha

ANALYSIS: US Air Force eyes adoption of ‘Loyal Wingman’ UAVs

www.flightglobal.com...

Note with Kratos' response: QF-16s first, then our stuff. Is this a way to placate Lockheed? Lockheed's response of 'no comment' is also interesting.

Slapping jammers in the Valkyries seems like a great way to couple this with the stealth fleet. However, if an F-35 can only manage 4, we have a bit of an issue.



posted on Sep, 14 2018 @ 12:45 AM
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originally posted by: anzha
a reply to: anzha

However, if an F-35 can only manage 4, we have a bit of an issue.


One word on why the Loyal Wingman concept is doomed to fail in an actual conflict:
Logistics.

Those **** pushing for this should look at a map for a change. The Pacific is not CENTAG AO in 85 with an airstrip available every fifteen miles to cater to tacair needs.
In the Pacific you can count the number of airbases and civilian airports available for US sure operations within suitable range to the chinese coast on two hands. And even today China has the capabilities to take half of them out of the picture.
How will this *every F-35 controls another 4 fighter sized drones* concept work if your tacair has to come in from Andersen and the PLAAF is going after the tankers?
Anyone think China wont touch Japanese or Philippine airbases when the US operates from there in an all out conflict?

Loyal Wingman quadruples the demand in a area the US will already fall well short in an actual conflict. Sure, you can use it in the Middle East. As if it would matter.



posted on Nov, 18 2018 @ 11:30 AM
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The Valkyrie is going through ground safety checks and reviews, and Kratos expects the unmanned aircraft to make its initial flight by around the end of January 2019, according to information from its recent earnings call. Should the UAV successfully execute a series of demonstration flights, the company expects to receive initial production unit orders from the USAF later next year.


www.flightglobal.com...



posted on Feb, 28 2019 @ 07:55 PM
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The XQ-58 is set to fly next week.



posted on Feb, 28 2019 @ 09:40 PM
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I wonder how far along Boeings bird is other than a static demonstrator?



posted on Mar, 3 2019 @ 03:49 PM
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a reply to: Blackfinger

Supposed to fly next year.



posted on Mar, 3 2019 @ 04:27 PM
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a reply to: anzha

When I first read your title I thought they were bringing the original Valkyrie back. The original is one of my favorite looking planes, and the still from the crash during the photo shoot were unbelievable.

The new one looks great also.



posted on Mar, 6 2019 @ 05:47 PM
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posted on Mar, 6 2019 @ 06:17 PM
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a reply to: Zaphod58

Hid the top.

clever girl.



posted on Mar, 6 2019 @ 06:18 PM
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a reply to: anzha

Interesting to see it fly from the Yuma Grounds.



posted on Mar, 6 2019 @ 06:37 PM
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That is also interesting.



posted on Mar, 6 2019 @ 06:59 PM
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posted on Mar, 6 2019 @ 09:25 PM
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a reply to: Zaphod58

She's a beauty.



posted on Mar, 7 2019 @ 01:14 AM
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posted on Mar, 7 2019 @ 03:07 AM
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Was this timed to go hand-in-hand with the RAAF/Boeing loyal wingman announcement?

Hi China.



posted on Mar, 7 2019 @ 04:11 AM
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originally posted by: Masisoar
Hi China.

Where do you fly it from?



posted on Mar, 7 2019 @ 07:37 AM
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www.thedrive.com...



The XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator, a long-range, high subsonic unmanned air vehicle completed its inaugural flight March 5, 2019 at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona. The Air Force Research Laboratory partnered with Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems to develop the XQ-58A.



posted on Mar, 7 2019 @ 10:06 AM
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a reply to: mightmight

Guam: 2100 miles to Hong Kong.
Okinawa: 900 miles to Hong Kong.

Note: the Valkyrie is meant to fly off of less than ideal airstrips. That opens up a lot.



posted on Mar, 7 2019 @ 10:37 AM
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a reply to: Zaphod58

Not that surprising, actually. Lots of stuff happens at YPG


Still dealing with a very low target price, so performance will be pretty low for those expecting a real "loyal wingman" application.

LCAAT goals are more like a very expensive reusable cruise missile. Still a useful tool for the tool box.



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