General Atomics will test LongShot armed drones, which are launched from aircraft and designed to destroy aerial targets

General Atomics, maker of the MQ-9 drone, is ready to embark on the third phase of the LongShot project, which is focused on building armed drones. For this purpose, the company has received $95 million.

Here's What We Know

The drones that will appear under the LongShot programme will be launched from fighter jets and bombers. The pilot of the aircraft will be able to control the drones. The third stage of the project involves testing the prototype and firing at aerial targets.

Northrop Grumman, the manufacturer of the RQ-4 Global Hawk strategic drones, took part in the LongShot project. In the spring, we wrote that the United States Department of Defense's Advanced Defence Research Agency would select only one company for the third phase.

As previously reported, construction of the drone will begin by the end of 2023. The first flight tests will take place in fiscal year 2024, which in the US will end on 30 September 2024.

General Atomics is to adapt the drone to be launched from large bombers and fighter jets. In addition, the final version of the drone will be equipped with air-to-air missiles to destroy aerial targets.

Source: SAM