US Marine Corps completes second XQ-58A Valkyrie flight test
Kratos has originally designed the XQ-58A for the United States Air Force (USAF) Low-Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator programme. (Photo: USAF)
Originally designed by Kratos for the USAF, the XQ-58A will serve as a vital testbed for emerging technologies and capabilities of the US Marine Corps.
The US Marine Corps (USMC) has successfully completed its second test flight with the XQ-58A Valkyrieloyal wingmen.
The XQ-58A will provide the USMC with a testbed platform for developing technologies and new concepts in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, such as autonomous flight and crewed-uncrewed teaming. The USMC has ordered two units, which were delivered in March 2023 and first flew in October 2023.
This successful test flight also served as a milestone in implementing Project Eagle, the USMC’s aviation modernisation strategy, the service said. Valkyrie and other Project Eagle research and experimentation platforms will inform capabilities needed in conflicts beyond 2040.
“The future battlespace demands new aviation platforms that embrace the austere environment and bring the fight to the enemy at a place of our choosing,” said Lt Col Bradley Buick, future capabilities officer for the USMC Cunningham Group.
Kratos has originally designed the XQ-58A for the United States Air Force (USAF) Low-Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator programme under the USAF Research Laboratory's Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) project portfolio.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) (Increment 1) [USAF]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: ‘Future force’ a focus but questions remain on core UK air programmes]()
DSEI 2025: ‘Future force’ a focus but questions remain on core UK air programmes
Focused on shaping the armed forces for the fight ahead, DSEI will hone in on new technology and small and medium enterprises to help lead the sector forward.
-
![India fast-tracks helicopter procurement with dual RFIs for 276 platforms]()
India fast-tracks helicopter procurement with dual RFIs for 276 platforms
India has issued urgent RFIs for more than 270 reconnaissance, surveillance and utility helicopters across its services, signalling a systemic overhaul of rotary-wing capabilities with a renewed emphasis on indigenous production and technology transfer.
-
![US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026]()
US combat drone plan rushes forward with first flight and selection in FY2026
The US Department of Defence (DoD) previously selected Anduril Industries and General Atomics to develop production-representative prototypes under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme. A competitive Increment 1 production decision is expected in FY2026.
