DARPA lines up LongShot
If LongShot reaches fruition, it will provide the USAF with an alternative means of generating combat capability.
DARPA on 8 February awarded three companies preliminary Phase I design contracts on its LongShot programme.
General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman will each work on developing an air-launched UAV capable of employing multiple air-to-air weapons.
LongShot aims to result in a new type of UAV that can ‘significantly extend engagement ranges, increase mission effectiveness, and reduce the risk to manned aircraft’ by allowing them to remain at standoff range far away from enemy threats, DARPA noted.
By demonstrating an unmanned, air-launched vehicle capable of employing current and advanced air-to-air weapons, LongShot ‘changes the paradigm of air combat operations’ and will ‘disrupt traditional incremental weapon improvements’, said DARPA programme manager Lt Col Paul Calhoun.
In later phases of the LongShot programme, a full-scale air-launched demonstration system will be built that will be capable of controlled flight before, during, and after weapon ejection under operational conditions.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![US plans to raise defence production by 300% but multiple uncertainties remain]()
US plans to raise defence production by 300% but multiple uncertainties remain
The strategy, schedule and budget to support Washington’s intention to speed up the manufacturing of defence capabilities remain unclear.
-
![Switzerland faces procurement shake-up with reduced F-35 buy and five-year Patriot delays]()
Switzerland faces procurement shake-up with reduced F-35 buy and five-year Patriot delays
The reduction in the number of planned F-35A aircraft from 36 to 30 by the Swiss government comes due to budget constraints, with no firm plans to fill the gap despite “negative consequences”.
-
![What will the replacement of A-10s by F-35s mean for the US Air Force?]()
What will the replacement of A-10s by F-35s mean for the US Air Force?
The USAF plans to phase out its 162 in-operation A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthogs by the end of FY2026, replacing them with F-35As which will bring a leap in capabilities in terms of lethality, survivability and speed.
