Airbus MQ-72C Lakota Connector progress on track ahead of pending USMC decision
The MQ-72C Lakota Connector mid-flight. (Photo: Airbus)
The MQ-7C uncrewed aircraft is currently undergoing further internal flight tests ahead of a government test event anticipated for next year.
First unveiled in early 2024, Airbus’ MQ-72C Lakota Connector is on track with its development, Airbus executives have confirmed to Shephard, ahead of a potential procurement decision by the US Marine Corps (USMC) for its Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) programme.
In May 2024, Airbus was selected for Phase 1 of the ALC programme – a rapid prototyping initiative to deliver logistical support in austere and distributed environments. The MQ-72C is an uncrewed version of its UH-72B airframe and the company has partnered with L3Harris, Shield AI and Parry Labs for various systems on the aircraft.
The MQ-72C is now undergoing
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