Head of U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Maj. Gen. William Cooley, disclosed at an Air Force Association event on Jul. 10 that the XQ-58A Valkyrie will enter flight testing this autumn.
Graphic: U.S. DoD
The unmanned aircraft is designed to demonstration techniques to build a low-cost combat aircraft that will team up with a manned fighter.
The XQ-58A is 30ft long with a 27ft wingspan. It will be able to carry a 600lb payload into combat.