General Atomics develops LongShot drones with missiles for launch from large aircraft

US company General Atomics, developer of the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper drones, is working on a new generation of drones. The project is called LongShot and is nearing its third phase.

Here's What We Know

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency of the US Department of Defense (DARPA) has already received a proposal from General Atomics for a new generation of drones. However, details of the project have not been disclosed yet.

Northrop Grumman, the developer of RQ-4 Global Hawk and MQ-4C Triton drones, participates in LongShot program together with General Atomics. In the near future, DARPA should examine the proposals of each manufacturer and complete the second phase of the project.

For the third phase DARPA will choose only one company, which is to build a working prototype of the drone. Construction of the drone will start by the end of this year and the first flight tests will take place in fiscal year 2024.

DARPA has several key requirements for the UAV. First, the drone must independently carry air-to-air missiles. Secondly, the drone should be adapted to be launched from military aircraft so that they do not engage the enemy.

Source: Breaking Defense