XQ-58A Valkyrie completes first flight
The US Air Force’s XQ-58A Valkyrie UAV demonstrator completed its first flight on 5 March at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) partnered with Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems to develop the XQ-58A, a long-range, high subsonic UAV.
According to the air force, the test flight lasted for 76 minutes and the runway independent UAV performed as expected. The XQ-58A has a total of five planned test flights in two phases to evaluate the system’s functionality, aerodynamic performance and launch and recovery systems.
This joint effort falls within the AFRL’s Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) portfolio. The objectives of the LCAAT include designing and building UAS more quickly by developing better design tools and maturing and leveraging commercial manufacturing processes to reduce build time and cost.
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