The U.S. Air Force has released the first figure of speech of its late combat laggard , the XQ-58A Valkyrie . The new aircraft , which cash in one’s chips from construct to first test flying in 2.5 geezerhood , “ behaved as expected ” on its first trial flight this week , according to the Air Force .
The 76 - mo inaugural escape occurred on March 5 , 2019 at Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona . The Air Force released a short15 - irregular videoof the first flight to show it off , something that the military does n’t do with all of its aircraft .
The drone was develop for the Air Force Research Laboratory ’s ( AFRL ) Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology ( LCAAT ) program which seek to arise fresh planes for the military both quickly and inexpensively .
“ XQ-58A is the first model of a course of study of UAV that is defined by low procurement and operating cost while providing game changing combat capability , ” Doug Szczublewski , AFRL ’s XQ-58A Program Manager , say in astatement .
The XQ-58A drone reportedly has a range of “ well over ” 2,000 miles and can stockpile both preciseness - run bombs and surveillance equipment .
As Tyler Rogoway atThe Drivenotes , the new monotone is specially suitable to operate at the direction of manned planes nearby under a concept the Air Force calls its “ firm wingman ” program . Theoretically , a piloted fighter jet could move around alongside a routine of these unpiloted Valkyries , which would aid by doing everything from jamming foeman microwave radar to firing on a butt .
Rogoway also notes that the ruined trailer looks unco like the earliestconcept renderingsthat were released by its developer , the San Diego - base military contractor Kratos Defense . Kratos is on the forefront of the latest weapons technologies , having recently developed the AN / SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System organisation for the U.S. Navy . optical maser weapon , which fall into the family of “ directed - energy weapons , ” are being render off by America ’s New Cold War antagonist Russia withincreased frequency .
The cost of the XQ-58A Valkyrie programme was n’t released publicly , but the best estimation put the budget at approximately $ 2 - 3 millionper plane .
[ US Air ForceandThe Drive ]
DronesmilitaryU.S. militaryValkyrie
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