General Atomics sole awardee for second phase of DARPA’s LongShot UAV project
GA-ASI is working on its proposal for Phase 3 of the LongShot programme, which will see prototype manufacturing. (Photo: GA-ASI)
Under LongShot, DARPA aims to increase the standoff range at which fighters can launch air-to-air weapons with an air-released UAV.
The US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) to continue supporting the LongShot programme, which aims to develop an air-launched UAV which is, in turn, capable of firing air-to-air weapons.
Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman also received contracts to work on LongShot under Phase 1 of the programme in early 2021.
On 6 March, DARPA confirmed to Shephard that GA-ASI was the only awardee for the second phase of the programme.
After a successful preliminary design review (PDR) last February, GA-ASI was selected to continue into Phase 2 of the project to
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Helicopters and CUAS set to dominate as Europe advances rearmament efforts]()
Eurosatory 2026: Helicopters and CUAS set to dominate as Europe advances rearmament efforts
The biennial show in Paris will focus heavily on autonomous technology, counter-drone solutions and helicopters, as countries ramp up defence budgets and focus on modernising defence capabilities.
-
![North American appetite for European AEW&C aircraft bolstered as Canada picks GlobalEye]()
North American appetite for European AEW&C aircraft bolstered as Canada picks GlobalEye
Canada’s selection of Saab’s GlobalEye to fulfil its airborne early warning requirements draws the country closer to European industry over American-made platforms, snubbing Boeing and L3Harris.
-
![US Air Force to fast-track capability development for GPS-denied operations]()
US Air Force to fast-track capability development for GPS-denied operations
Over the next 18 months, the air force's research facility intends to accelerate the progress of resilient, autonomous solutions to support aircraft and helicopter deployments in DDIL overland and over-the-water scenarios.
-
![NATO countries test Canadian-made, high-speed “cannibal” drone]()
NATO countries test Canadian-made, high-speed “cannibal” drone
INKAS Anuri CUAS drone has been built to engage consumer, commercial and modified first-person view enemy drones flying at speeds of up to 400 km/h.
