XQ-58 Valkyrie Completes Second Flight With The Marine Corps

[william]

The U.S. Marine Corps' stealthy XQ-58A Valkyrie has successfully completed its second flight test with the service. The Marine Corps is currently testing the drone against a whole range of potential uses, including as electronic warfare platforms, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, and wingmen for crewed fighters, including in kinetic roles.
The flight test took place on February 23, and was conducted from Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, where the Marine's XQ-58A testing efforts are based. The test saw Marines working in conjunction with the U.S. Air Force's 40th Flight Test Squadron, part of the 96th Test Wing at Eglin, and the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), part of Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

Collectively, the flight tests will "evaluate the effectiveness of autonomous electronic support to crewed platforms like the USMC F-35B Lightning II and the potential for AI-enabled platforms to augment combat air patrols," the Marine Corps states. "The XQ-58A is envisioned to provide capability to the Marine Air Ground Task Force that ranges from electronic warfare support to delivering or supporting lethal fires and kill chains."

According to the Marines, the drone's second successful test flight represents "a key milestone in implementing Project Eagle, the service's aviation modernization strategy in support of broader Force Design modernization efforts. The XQ-58A and other Project Eagle research and experimentation platforms will inform capabilities needed in future conflicts out to 2040."
Project Eagle has been separately described by the service as "HQMC Aviation's roadmap to identify and procure capabilities that are lethal, resilient, persistent, and sustainable through a three-Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) strategic path."
"Aligning these test flights with Project Eagle informs future support to the Marine Air Ground Task Force, which guides the foundation for the next Marine Aviation Plan," said Lt. Col. Gavin Robillard, lead aviation strategy and plans officer for the Marine Corps Cunningham Group.

XQ-58 Valkyrie Completes Second Flight With The Marine Corps

Continued flight testing with Valkyrie is helping the USMC narrow down its future uncrewed system requirements.

www.twz.com

 

[Torch]

This and the Air Forces “Loyal Wingman” project are, IMO, the future of Atmospheric and eventually Space
warfare (LEO)