The US Marine Corps has received the XQ-58A Valkyrie drones for use as an electronic warfare platform alongside the F-35B and F-35C fighters
The U.S. Marine Corps has decided to arm itself with the XQ-58A Valkyrie attack drones. Eric DeMarco, CEO and president of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, spoke about some of the service's plans.
Here's What We Know
The Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer programme came to light late last year. As part of this project, the U.S. Marine Corps is looking for ways to support assault squads. The service has ordered two XQ-58A Valkyrie drones for this purpose.
The Marine Corps will use the drones as an electronic warfare platform alongside fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters. Specifically, with the F-35B and F-35C. The former variant has a short take-off and vertical landing, while the latter has several features due to its basing on aircraft carriers.
The XQ-58A stealth drone takes off using a catapult and lands using a parachute system. This means it does not need a runway. The combined use of the Valkyrie and fifth-generation F-35 B/C fighters provides a huge leap in capability without increasing infrastructure requirements.
All services that use different versions of the F-35 fighter are looking to get advanced electronic warfare systems as soon as possible. Using the drone as an electronic warfare platform will dramatically increase the list of potential tactics and capabilities that will provide improved F-35 survivability in the face of advanced enemy air defenses.
The XQ-58A Valkyrie will be able to operate ahead as a decoy and launch its own drones. These can act as weapons or create interference. It is possible that the weapons bay of the Valkyrie will be converted for electronic warfare systems and additional fuel tanks to increase its range.
In addition, the XQ-58A Valkyrie uses a multifunctional data link (MADL), like the fifth-generation F-35 fighter. This should make it easier to get manned and unmanned aircraft working together.
The MADL channel is difficult to jam, allowing a steady flow of data between the F-35 and the Valkyrie. This will be useful in an environment of intense electronic warfare, where space-based communications will be at risk.
Of course, the focus on electronic warfare may just be the beginning of the XQ-58A and F-35 working together, which are in service with the US Marine Corps. It is possible that the drones will perform other roles as well.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has confirmed the receipt of an additional contract. This agreement with the US Marine Corps is aimed at "sensors, mission systems and subsystem integration". By the way, we don't know which version of the XQ-58 Valkyrie the service has ordered. Perhaps it's the Block 2-level drone that the company's CEO mentioned.
Source: The War Zone
