By Craig Hoyle2021-04-06T15:39:00+01:00
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions’ XQ-58A Valkyrie performed its sixth flight late last month, culminating with the “loyal wingman” releasing an air-launched effect vehicle from its internal weapons bay for the first time.
Conducted over the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona by the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) on 26 March, the test flight involved the release of an Area-I Altius-600 small unmanned air system (SUAS).
Source: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
The attritable aircraft released Altius-600 air-launched effect during 26 March flight
“Kratos, Area-I and AFRL designed and fabricated the SUAS carriage and developed software to enable release,” the research laboratory says. This was also the first time that the aircraft’s weapons bay doors had been opened in flight.
Ever Seen A Drone Dropping Another Drone? Take A Look At The XQ-58 Valkyrie Releasing An Altius 600 UAS theaviationist.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theaviationist.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Area-I Altius-600 small UAS falls from the XQ-58A’s internal weapons bay. (Photo: via AFRL)
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has successfully demonstrated the inflight release of a small unmanned air system (SUAS) from the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie UAS. The demonstration took place at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona on March 26.
The Valkyrie UAS opened its weapons bay doors for the first time in flight to drop an Area-I Altius-600 SUAS. The trial the XQ-58A’s sixth flight was conducted by AFRL in partnership with Kratos and Area-I. The team had co-developed the SUAS carrier for installation in the bay and devised the necessary software to effect the release. Following the drop, the XQ-58A continued to achieve various pre-planned test points that saw it fly higher and faster than it had previously.
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