Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced the successful completion of the first phase of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer – Portfolio (PAACK-P) program. The accomplishment comes after a live flight test at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) effectively collaborated with F-35 aircraft and demonstrated its electronic attack (EA) capabilities.
The XQ-58A successfully flew alongside two F-35s, showcasing its potential as a “loyal wingman” for manned fighter jets. Furthermore, the Valkyrie’s onboard EA payload autonomously detected, identified, and geolocated enemy targets. This data was then transmitted to collaborating aircraft, enabling a coordinated electronic attack against those targets.
The XQ-58A’s performance during the PAACK-P Phase 1 testing suggests its suitability for the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) role. By employing electronic jamming techniques, the XQ-58A can neutralize enemy air defense systems, paving the way for manned aircraft to conduct their missions with reduced risk.
The utilization of unmanned systems like the XQ-58A offers a significant cost advantage over traditional manned aircraft. This is particularly relevant for high-risk missions, where the potential loss of a pilot and an expensive fighter jet is a major concern.
The successful demonstration not only validates the XQ-58A’s capabilities but also informs the development of the MQ-58B, the planned production variant. Data and lessons learned from the XQ-58A’s performance will directly influence the design specifications for the MQ-58B, ensuring it meets the specific requirements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Expeditionary (MUX) Tactical Aircraft (TACAIR) for the SEAD role.
The successful demonstration represents a major milestone for the PAACK-P program and the future of Marine Corps unmanned aerial systems. The XQ-58A’s combination of affordability, long-range flight capabilities, high speeds, and diverse payload options makes it a valuable asset for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Lt. Col. Bradley Buick, of the Marine Corps’ Cunningham Group, emphasized the importance of MUX TACAIR (tactical aircraft) like the XQ-58A, highlighting their potential to enhance the lethality and survivability of manned platforms within the MAGTF.
Kratos Defense & Security, the developer of the XQ-58A, partnered with Northrop Grumman (likely supplier of the EA suite) and various Department of Defense entities, including the Marine Corps itself, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) for the demonstration.
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