Loyal Wingman(Page 2)

Latest in Loyal Wingman

Lockheed Martin's losing entry in the first increment of the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone program was a very stealthy design, the head of the famed Skunk Works advanced projects division has disclosed. The company is now expecting future CCA increments to revolve around proposals that might lean closer to not just being lower-cost, but maybe even expendable, to support a concept of operations that requires tolerance for very high losses.
Air

Skunk Works’ Losing Loyal Wingman Drone Was Very Stealthy “Gold Plated” Design

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 18, 2024

The U.S. Air Force's still evolving requirements for a next-generation aerial refueling 'system of systems' will directly impact the service's reassessment of plans for a new sixth-generation stealth 'fighter.' The Next-Generation Air-Refueling System (NGAS) effort will also inform work on a second tranche of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones.
Air

Future Stealth Tanker Plans Tied To NGAD 6th Generation Fighter’s Fate

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 16, 2024

The U.S. Air Force is re-examining the very core of its requirements for a new sixth-generation stealth combat jet as part of its ongoing review of that element of the larger Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative.
Air

Air Force “Starting At The Beginning” With NGAD 6th Gen Fighter Requirements Review

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 4, 2024

The U.S. Air Force recently awarded contracts to two companies for work on SHARK 'buddy store' podded aerial refueling systems able to work with aircraft that use the boom method to get gas in flight.
Air

Aerial Refueling Boom Pods That Could Go On F-15s In The Works

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 3, 2024

The War Zone delved into the digital engineer and advanced manufacturer techniques behind the stealthy Model 437 Vanguard aircraft, and more, an interview with Colin Miller, Vice President for Engineering within Northrop Grumman's aeronautics sector.
Air

Everything We Just Learned About The Model 437 Vanguard Technology Demonstrator Jet

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 30, 2024

The first known prototype of the Model 437 from Northrop Grumman subsidiary Scaled Composites has flown.
Air

Stealthy High-Tech Model 437 Vanguard Jet Has Flown For The First Time (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 29, 2024

Model 407 optionally manned drone Northrop grumman
Air

Northrop’s Stealthy Loyal Wingman Drone Breaks Cover And It Has A Cockpit

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 9, 2024

Kratos, manufacturer of the XQ-58 Valkyrie, has confirmed that a new version of the drone is in the works that will feature built-in landing gear, which points to a larger derivative possibly with greater performance.
Air

New XQ-58 Valkyrie Variant With Built-In Landing Gear To Fly Soon

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 8, 2024

Kratos has developed a new launch trolley that allows its XQ-58 drones to take off from traditional runways.
Air

XQ-58 Valkyrie Can Now Take Off From Runways Thanks To New Launch Trolly System

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 3, 2024

The US Air Force is taking a second look at the crewed sixth-generation stealth combat jet it is developing under the Next Generation Air Dominance initiative to see where costs could be cut, even at the cost of losing certain capabilities.
Air

Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter’s Future Increasingly Uncertain

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

Anduril and General Atomics have shared new details about progress and challenges, including on production and autonomy issues, as part of the Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
Air

Construction Of First Collaborative Combat Aircraft Drone Has Begun At General Atomics

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 1, 2024

Navy's CCA vision
Air

Navy’s Vision For Disposable Carrier-Based Loyal Wingman Drones Comes Into Focus

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 10, 2024

Drone maker Kratos has disclosed the existence of work on an MQ-58B variant of its Valkyrie drone with electronic attack capabilities for the US Marine Corps.
Air

MQ-58B Electronic Attack-Enabled Version Of Valkyrie Drone For USMC Revealed

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 3, 2024

VMX-1 getting MQ-9s
Air

How Marine MQ-9s Will Adapt For A Pacific Fight, Pave Way For Future Drones

By James Deboer

Posted on Mar 28, 2024

Boeing has announced plans to establish a new production facility for the MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone in Australia.
Air

Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Getting Facility To Ramp-Up Production In Australia

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 28, 2024

Drone maker Kratos has disclosed new details about its growing XQ-58 family, which now includes at least five distinct variants.
Air

XQ-58 Valkyrie Drone Family Has Grown To Five Variants

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 21, 2024

A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, conducts its second test flight with two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to 33rd Fighter Wing, 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. The XQ-58A Valkyrie test flight and the data collected inform future requirements for the Marine Corps in a rapidly evolving security environment, while successfully fueling joint innovation and experimentation opportunities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell)
Air

XQ-58 Valkyrie Completes Second Flight With The Marine Corps

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Mar 2, 2024

As part of the announcement of the first flight its new XQ-67A drone, the Air Force has shared new information about its Off-Board Sensing Station program and revealed the existence of a companion Off-Board Weapon Station concept.
Air

The XQ-67A Has A Secretive, Higher-Performance, Deadly Cousin

By Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 1, 2024

General Atomics' XQ-67A drone, built for the Air Force's Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) program, has made its first flight.
Air

XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station Drone Has Flown (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 29, 2024

SAAB LOYAL WINGMAN
Air

This Is Saab’s Concept For A Supersonic, Stealthy Loyal Wingman Drone

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 10, 2024

Low-Cost Infrared Search And Track System For Aircraft Unveiled By Anduril
Air

Low-Cost Infrared Search And Track System For Aircraft Unveiled By Anduril

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 8, 2024

General Atomics has unveiled the XQ-67A drone, which it built as part of the US Air Force's secretive Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) program.
Air

General Atomics’ XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station Drone Breaks Cover

By Jamie Hunter, Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 7, 2024

Defense contractor Anduril has formally announced that it is one of five companies working on the US Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) advanced drone program.
Air

Anduril Is Helping The Air Force To Develop Its Loyal Wingman Drone

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 25, 2024

A new draft of the annual U.S. defense policy bill for the 2024 Fiscal Year, which looks set to pass in Congress and become law, would require the Air Force and the Navy to provide new details about the expected costs and capabilities of their future Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones.
Air

Loyal Wingman Drone Cost, Capability Concerns Emerge In Defense Bill

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 8, 2023

“Multiple” New Versions Of The XQ-58 Valkyrie In The Works
Air

“Multiple” New Versions Of The XQ-58 Valkyrie In The Works

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 6, 2023

The US Marine Corps has flown one of its XQ-58A Valkyrie drones for the first time, making it the second known operator of the type in addition to the US Air Force.
Sea

XQ-58 Valkyrie Is Now Flying With The Marine Corps

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 6, 2023

The US Air Force recently conducted a flight test involving an XQ-58A Valkyrie drone that demonstrated advanced autonomous capabilities.
Air

XQ-58 Valkyrie Solves Air Combat ‘Challenge Problem’ While Under AI Control

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 3, 2023

First Image Of MQ-28 Ghost Bat In The United States
Air

First Image Of MQ-28 Ghost Bat In The United States

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 26, 2023

Valkyrie Marines F-35
Air

Marine XQ-58 Valkyries Will Be Electronic Warfare Platforms For F-35s

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 4, 2023

‘Affordable Mass’ Concept Driving Air Force’s New Advanced Drone Initiative
Air

‘Affordable Mass’ Concept Driving Air Force’s New Advanced Drone Initiative

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 11, 2023

Gambit Drone Chosen To Fly Under Secretive Off-Board Sensing Station Program
Air

Gambit Drone Chosen To Fly Under Secretive Off-Board Sensing Station Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 2, 2023

New Shots Of Stealthy XQ-58A Valkyrie Highlight Its Runway Independence
Air

New Shots Of Stealthy XQ-58A Valkyrie Highlight Its Runway Independence

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 1, 2023

Navy Buys XQ-58A Valkyries For Secretive ‘Killer’ Drone Project
Sea

Navy Buys XQ-58A Valkyries For Secretive ‘Killer’ Drone Project

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 2, 2023

X-58A Valkyrie drones arrive at Eglin Air Force Base
Air

XQ-58A Valkyrie Drone Has Joined Eglin Air Force Base’s Test Wing

By Emma Helfrich

Posted on Nov 11, 2022

XQ-58A Valkyrie Flies Longer, Higher, Heavier In Recent Test
Air

XQ-58A Valkyrie Flies Longer, Higher, Heavier In Recent Test

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 4, 2022

Clone Of Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Displayed By China
News & Features

Clone Of Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone Displayed By China

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 3, 2022

MQ28 Ghost Bat
Air

Air Force Acquires Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Drone For Testing

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 6, 2022

Air Wolf CCA
Air

Our Best Look Yet At Kratos’ Air Wolf ‘Loyal Wingman’ Drone

By Amelia Smith

Posted on Sep 20, 2022

Secret Competition For Air Force Loyal Wingman Drone Coming Soon
Air

Secret Competition For Air Force Loyal Wingman Drone Coming Soon

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 7, 2022

Boeing Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Loyal Wingman Drone Is In The U.S.
News & Features

Boeing Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat Loyal Wingman Drone Is In The U.S.

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 6, 2022

MQ28 Ghost Bat
Air

USAF Eyeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat For Next Gen Air Dominance Program

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 24, 2022

A depiction of an F-35A Joint Strike Fighter flying together with various different drone designs as part of a distributed manned-unmanned team.
News & Features

Vision For Future Manned-Unmanned Air Combat Laid Out By Skunk Works

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 12, 2022

Kratos Reveals Existence Of Secretive Demogorgon Unmanned Combat Aircraft Program (Updated)
Air

Kratos Reveals Existence Of Secretive Demogorgon Unmanned Combat Aircraft Program (Updated)

By Brett Tingley

Updated on Jan 18, 2022

This Is Our First Look At Kratos’ Shadowy New Drone Design For The U.S. Air Force
Air

This Is Our First Look At Kratos’ Shadowy New Drone Design For The U.S. Air Force

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Dec 14, 2021

Aevum’s Space Launch Plane Is A-5 Vigilante Sized, Its Claims Are Even Bigger
Space

Aevum’s Space Launch Plane Is A-5 Vigilante Sized, Its Claims Are Even Bigger

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Nov 9, 2021

Here’s Why This New Mysterious Air Force Drone Contract Is A Big Deal (Updated)
Air

Here’s Why This New Mysterious Air Force Drone Contract Is A Big Deal (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Oct 27, 2021

China Is Cloning Kratos’ XQ-58A Valkyrie Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle Concept (Updated)
News & Features

China Is Cloning Kratos’ XQ-58A Valkyrie Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle Concept (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Sep 29, 2021

New Unmanned Loyal Wingman Design Based On Stealthy “Son Of Ares” Jet Emerges
Air

New Unmanned Loyal Wingman Design Based On Stealthy “Son Of Ares” Jet Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Sep 9, 2021

Here’s How Fighter Pilots Could Control “Loyal Wingmen” Via A Tablet On Their Thigh
Air

Here’s How Fighter Pilots Could Control “Loyal Wingmen” Via A Tablet On Their Thigh

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Sep 8, 2021

Let’s Take Our First Look At Kratos’ Airwolf Tactical Drone
Air

Let’s Take Our First Look At Kratos’ Airwolf Tactical Drone

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 3, 2021

Kratos Says Secret “Off-Board Sensing Station” Unmanned Aircraft Will Be Transformative
Air

Kratos Says Secret “Off-Board Sensing Station” Unmanned Aircraft Will Be Transformative

By Brett Tingley and Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 5, 2021

The First XQ-58A Valkyrie Is Already Headed To A Museum (Updated)
Air

The First XQ-58A Valkyrie Is Already Headed To A Museum (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jul 28, 2021

Flanker Fighter Appears Among Unmanned Aircraft At China’s Secretive Test Base
News & Features

Flanker Fighter Appears Among Unmanned Aircraft At China’s Secretive Test Base

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jul 2, 2021

Skyborg AI Computer “Brain” Successfully Flew A General Atomics Avenger Drone
Air

Skyborg AI Computer “Brain” Successfully Flew A General Atomics Avenger Drone

By Brett Tingley

Posted on Jun 30, 2021

Northrop Grumman Reveals Its “LongShot” Air-Launched Missile-Toting Drone Concept (Updated)
Air

Northrop Grumman Reveals Its “LongShot” Air-Launched Missile-Toting Drone Concept (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick and Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 20, 2021

Kratos Mako Loyal Wingman Drone Emerges With Major Modifications For Skyborg Trials
Air

Kratos Mako Loyal Wingman Drone Emerges With Major Modifications For Skyborg Trials

By Thomas Newdick and Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 10, 2021

First Test Flight Of Skyborg’s “Computer Brain” Flown On UTAP-22 Loyal Wingman Drone
Air

First Test Flight Of Skyborg’s “Computer Brain” Flown On UTAP-22 Loyal Wingman Drone

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on May 5, 2021

KC-135 Tanker Tested With Loyal Wingman Drone
Air

KC-135 Tanker Tested With Loyal Wingman Drone

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 15, 2021

Stealthy Valkyrie Drone Uses Weapons Bay For First Time To Launch Smaller Drone
Air

Stealthy Valkyrie Drone Uses Weapons Bay For First Time To Launch Smaller Drone

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 6, 2021

AI-Controlled F-16s Are Now Working As A Team In DARPA’s Virtual Dogfights
Air

AI-Controlled F-16s Are Now Working As A Team In DARPA’s Virtual Dogfights

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Mar 23, 2021

Boeing Is Adapting Its Australian Combat Drone For The U.S. Air Force’s Skyborg Program
News & Features

Boeing Is Adapting Its Australian Combat Drone For The U.S. Air Force’s Skyborg Program

By Thomas Newdick and Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 2, 2021

Australia’s Potentially Game-Changing Loyal Wingman Drone Has Flown For The First Time
News & Features

Australia’s Potentially Game-Changing Loyal Wingman Drone Has Flown For The First Time

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Mar 2, 2021

Check Out The Mystery Drone Model On The Desk Of This General Atomics Executive
Air

Check Out The Mystery Drone Model On The Desk Of This General Atomics Executive

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 25, 2021

DARPA Is Developing Aircraft-Launched Missile-Like Drones That Fire Their Own Air-To-Air Missiles
News & Features

DARPA Is Developing Aircraft-Launched Missile-Like Drones That Fire Their Own Air-To-Air Missiles

By Joseph Trevithick and Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 10, 2021