The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) celebrated a significant milestone on Feb. 28, with the successful maiden flight of the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) at Gray Butte Field Airport, California. This event marks the first flight of an aircraft developed under the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing (LCAAPS) program, a groundbreaking initiative aiming to revolutionize unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) development.
The XQ-67A signifies the practical application of the LCAAPS program’s core concept: the “genus/species” approach. This innovative strategy utilizes a common airframe designated as the “genus” to serve as the foundation for diverse aircraft “species” with specialized functionalities. Effectively, the XQ-67A represents the first “species” built upon this shared platform, specifically designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
“We’ve been evolving this class of systems since the start of the Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technologies, [or LCAAT], initiative,” said Doug Meador, autonomous collaborative platform capability lead with AFRL’s Aerospace Systems Directorate.
The LCAAPS program, with its innovative “genus/species” approach, builds upon the foundation laid by the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) project, initiated by AFRL to develop methods for rapid and cost-effective production of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). The first major outcome of LCAAT was the Low-Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator (LCASD) program, which led to the development and successful 2019 maiden flight of the XQ-58 Valkyrie, a prototype UCAV showcasing the feasibility of LCAAT’s core principles.
The LCASD program served as a crucial proving ground for the “genus/species” concept. While the XQ-58 focused on offensive capabilities, the LCAAPS program expands upon this shared platform to develop a wider range of specialized UAVs.
While the XQ-67A represents the first “species” under the LCAAPS program, future iterations branching from the common chassis are envisioned to fulfill diverse roles beyond intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Notably, the “genus/species” concept facilitates the development of two distinct, complementary aircraft variants: the Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) and the Off-Board Weapon Station (OBWS).
The XQ-67A serves as the inaugural OBSS variant, optimized for prolonged ISR missions. This focus on sensor data collection necessitates specialized design choices, resulting in an aircraft prioritized for longer endurance at the expense of pure speed and maneuverability. This trade-off allows the OBSS to loiter in designated areas for extended periods, gathering vital intelligence for troops on the ground.
The envisioned OBWS variant, on the other hand, will prioritize speed and maneuverability over extended endurance. This focus aligns with its intended role, which might encompass tasks like electronic warfare, close air support, or target suppression. By sacrificing some endurance, the OBWS could achieve greater tactical agility, enabling it to fulfill its mission objectives efficiently within a shorter operational window.
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