First autonomous sensor drone to support U.S. Air Force
A drone is to fly ahead of fighter aircraft and provide reconnaissance data, with the tried-and-tested Valkyrie platform forming the cost-effective basis.
The XQ-67A in flight.
(Image: AFRL)
The first autonomous sensor drone XQ-67A, also known as the Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS), is intended to support U.S. Air Force pilots in future combat missions. It can fly ahead of fighter jets and bombers both remotely and completely autonomously and provide data on targets and threats before the pilots enter enemy territory. The drone was developed by General Atomics.
Flying sensors
The XQ-67A completed its first flight at the end of February 2024. At that time, however, very little was made public about the OBSS. The drone reaches a speed of up to 1050 km/h and flies up to 3941 km. It is equipped with a range of sensors and cameras that can be used for reconnaissance purposes. In addition, the XQ-67A can also be equipped with various weapons, including Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and smaller bombs. General Atomics and the Air Force Research Laboratory (ARFL) responsible for the project are not providing any further details.
The special feature of the XQ-67A is that it is based on the same platform as the XQ-58A Valkyrie, a jet-powered, experimental drone from Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, which is to be used autonomously and remotely controlled as a Loyal Wingman alongside a fighter aircraft.
According to the AFRL, the approach of reusing the platform should make it possible to create such drones more quickly and cost-effectively. These drones could be developed more quickly, would cost less and could be technologically refreshed more often.
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The XQ-67A was developed, built, tested on the ground and flown within two years. It is intended to accelerate the introduction of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) in the U.S. Air Force.
(olb)