On March 5, the American company Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems, with the participation of the US Air Force Research Laboratory, conducted the first flight of the advanced unmanned aerial vehicle XQ-58A Valkyrie. In the future, this vehicle should become a universal platform for the construction of combat UAVs for various purposes. Drones based on "Valkyrie" are proposed to be used as an addition to existing and future aircraft, providing an increase in their efficiency. However, so far we are only talking about flight tests of the base platform.
According to the Air Force Research laboratory (AFRL), the development of the Kratos XQ-58A project lasted about two and a half years and was carried out as part of a larger UAV program with low cost LCAAT (Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology). The work started after the conclusion of the relevant contract in July 2016. About a year later, Kratos released the key data for its project for the first time.
The first published image of the UAV XQ-222
The product with the working title XQ-222 Valkyrie was supposed to be a subsonic, inconspicuous aircraft with the ability to carry various payloads. Already at that time, the issues of joint operation of UAVs and manned aircraft in one link were considered to solve common problems. The estimated flight range was to exceed 3 thousand nautical miles (more than 5550 km).
In January 2018, Kratos confirmed the continuation of the work, and also announced its plans for the near future. It was argued that the first prototype of the Valkyrie would be built and tested by the end of the year. In November, it became known that the UAV had changed its designation. The old index XQ-222 was replaced with a new one - XQ-58A. Now the Valkyrie product appears in the news only under the second designation.
On March 6, the Air Force Laboratory officially announced the first test flight of the XQ-58A UAV. The flight took place on March 5 at the Yuma test site (Arizona). The product was airborne for 76 minutes and performed as expected. The current flight test plan provides for four more flights. At the moment, the task of Kratos and AFRL is to determine the real flight performance, as well as to develop control systems and other structural elements.
AFRL has published a short video showing the new drone in flight. During the shooting of these frames, the unmanned vehicle performed a right turn with a roll. No other flight modes or maneuvers were demonstrated. Also, the developers have published photos of the prototype. They can be compared to older advertising images and can be used to determine how the project has evolved in recent years.
The timing of the completion of the flight design tests has not been specified. It can take several months or several years to complete all the necessary test flights and the accompanying refinement of the structure. Then, probably, the XQ-58A UAV will receive further development, after which the military will have to decide the issue of its need for the troops. Thus, the future of the Valkyrie product remains unclear, but some of the expected events are already known.
***
According to the terms of reference, the XQ-58A should be an unobtrusive subsonic aircraft, and this determined the main features of its appearance. The Valkyrie has a distinctive appearance showing the use of stealth technology and airframe optimization for high subsonic flight. At the same time, as can be judged by individual structural elements, stealth was worked out with an eye to overcoming ground-based air defense elements.
Since the XQ-58A project was developed under the LCAAT program, its creators were required to simplify a certain design, production and operation. Due to the widespread use of existing technologies and already proven solutions, it was also required to reduce the cost of equipment. It is argued that such tasks have been successfully accomplished.
Experienced Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie in flight
The XQ-58A has a distinctively shaped fuselage formed by several curved surfaces, with clearly defined edges on the sides. On top of it is placed an air intake, covered from radar observation from below. The tail end of the machine is designed in the form of a nozzle with a flat bottom edge, which acts as a kind of screen. The fuselage skin is assembled from panels of different shapes. On it, most likely, there are hatches for various purposes. The layout of the internal volumes is unclear, although it is obvious that a turbojet engine is located in the tail section.
The glider is equipped with a mid-swept wing. The plane has a slight taper and is equipped with at least ailerons. The tail unit is built according to a V-shaped scheme and is made in the form of two arrow-shaped planes installed on the sides of the nozzle with a camber outward. Two rudders of such a tail are responsible for pitch and yaw control.
In the XQ-58A project, avionics are of particular interest. First of all, the drone must have a remote control system and an autopilot - the usual devices for such equipment. Optical-electronic or radar surveillance equipment should also be used. In the future, the Valkyrie product is proposed to be used in conjunction with combat aircraft, which imposes special requirements on its equipment.
It is expected that the XQ-58A, along with some other promising UAVs, will be able to interact with the latest generation of tactical aircraft in the future. They will become wingmen of piloted fighters or bombers. It is proposed to entrust the UAV with the conduct of reconnaissance with the transfer of data to the host. In addition, drones will be able to carry various weapons and use them on command from the control aircraft. The presence of unmanned aerial vehicles with their own observation devices and weapons can significantly increase the potential of front-line aviation.
In connection with the need to ensure stealth, internal compartments are used for weapons. Each of them is equipped with four suspension points with a lifting capacity of 250 kg each. There is information about the possibility of using external suspension points under the wing. It is assumed that the Valkyrie will be armed with guided bombs and air-to-surface missiles of various types with permissible dimensions and weight. Whether the new UAV will be able to deal with air targets is unknown.
In its current form, the XQ-58A has a length of 9.1 m and a wing span of 8.2 m. The take-off weight is unknown. Payload - up to 2 tons. Estimated maximum speed - 1050 km / h. The range is still determined at the level of 3500-4000 km. Service ceiling - 13.7 km.
***
A few days ago, the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie UAV made its maiden flight. In the near future, several more test flights are expected, during which they will check the main capabilities and characteristics of the machine. The current flight test includes five flights, divided into two phases. Despite the short duration of the inspections, Kratos and AFRL plan to establish all the necessary parameters and qualities of the new machine.
Roll with roll
Further, the analysis of the test results is expected, after which certain conclusions will follow. In the absence of serious problems at the test stage, it can be expected that the development company will be instructed to continue the development of the existing project, taking into account the future combat use of technology. The platform in the form of the Valkyrie UAV will have to be equipped with various equipment necessary for interaction with manned aircraft and the use of weapons.
The result of the LCAAT program, within the framework of which the current XQ-58A is being created, may be the emergence of a fundamentally new tactics for the use of front-line aviation. The main tasks of breaking through air defense and destroying ground targets (it is also possible to fight for air superiority) will be performed by a mixed link, including a manned fighter-bomber of the fourth or fifth generation and a number of drones.
In such a link, UAVs will be able to take on the roles of scouts and weapons carriers. The manned aircraft, in turn, will become a kind of command post with the ability to monitor the situation and use weapons. It is expected that such a complex will provide advantages over modern techniques for the use of aviation.
When using UAVs of the LCAAT type, risks for a manned aircraft are significantly reduced. He can be at a safe distance from enemy air defense facilities and solve a combat mission using drones. The use of stealth technologies will reduce the likelihood of detecting and intercepting UAVs, and in case of successful operation of the enemy's air defense, a reduction in the cost of the device is provided. In other words, the pilot will not risk his aircraft, and the loss of the UAV will not cause much damage to the fleet of equipment and the military budget.
At the level of general ideas, the LCAAT program looks interesting and promising, but the original concept is still far from being fully implemented. A promising UAV, designed to complement manned tactical aircraft, only recently completed its first flight and will continue to test. Developers face special design challenges. Some of them were successfully solved, which made it possible to lift the prototype into the air. Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems and AFRL must now complete the following milestones.
The recent maiden flight of the prototype Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie UAV is a major event in the history of the LCAAT program, and in the future it may turn out to be a milestone for the entire US unmanned program. However, this project should not be overestimated yet, taking into account only the proposed concept and expected results. In the near future, there should be new reports on the progress of work on the LCAAT and XQ-58A, which will allow for more accurate predictions.
