For the first time in a large-force exercise, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) successfully demonstrated cooperative kill chain closure between crewed and uncrewed strike platforms, featuring Kratos’ XQ-58A Valkyrie. The attritable, runway-independent UAV, designed to support manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operations, was a key participant in Emerald Flag 2024. The Valkyrie was developed under the Marine Corps’ Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer – Portfolio (PAACK-P) program.
A series of milestones marked the Valkyrie’s development prior to Emerald Flag. The Marine Corps took delivery of the first of two XQ-58A UAS on Mar. 14, 2023. On Oct. 3, 2023, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, the Valkyrie successfully completed its first test flight. On Sept. 20, its third test flight successfully demonstrated the integration of Link-16 capabilities. This integration is critical to prepare the Valkyrie to participate in Emerald Flag, a multi-service and multi-domain training exercise that evaluates the integration of new and developing technologies into joint warfare scenarios.
During Emerald Flag 2024, the Valkyrie proved itself as a forward-deployed sensing platform. It provided critical threat targeting data to Marine Corps fifth-generation aircraft, enabling rapid kill chain closure. The Valkyrie utilised a common tactical data link, sharing broad airborne and surface sensor awareness information with multiple ground and airborne joint network participants, underlining its potential in joint force operations. The XQ-58A operated under vehicle-level autonomy to perform maneuvers in a simulated threat environment. The Valkyrie’s on-board sensors identified and geolocated relevant threats, and simultaneously passed targeting data to collaborating air and ground platforms over tactical networks.
During the exercise, the Valkyrie successfully integrated with four F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 and other joint aircraft, showcasing the advancements in the manned-unmanned teaming concept. Control of the XQ-58A was passed between a USMC aviator, air control methods, and ground control methods which can command multiple Valkyries simultaneously. Stakeholders, including the U.S. Air Force, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, and Naval Air Systems Command, collaborated to ensure the Valkyrie’s successful integration at Emerald Flag. This demonstration of the XQ-58A’s ability to support crewed-uncrewed teaming and Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) marks a significant milestone in the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Aerial System Expeditionary (MUX) Tactical Aircraft (TACAIR) development.
The Valkyrie’s success at Emerald Flag signals a promising future for the platform. The Valkyrie has potential to support Marine Corps stand-in force operations and contribute to the Joint Force’s operational effectiveness in complex and evolving security environments. The Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft program continues to develop, with the Valkyrie as a valuable platform for integrating new technologies and concepts to enhance the Marine Corps’ capabilities. Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, stated that this integrated, autonomous collaborative, and jet-powered aircraft system validates the Pentagon’s goal of achieving effective, survivable, affordable mass.
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