Meet The Marine Corps Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle ‘Valkyrie’

The XQ-58A Valkyrie, an impressive unmanned aerial vehicle, made a significant impact during the recent 2024 Emerald Flag exercise, the US Marine Corps announced last week.

This was the first time the Valkyrie participated in a joint force data link integration test, marking a major milestone for the program.

As part of a broader push to advance manned-unmanned teaming capabilities in the US military, the exercise showed just how far the Valkyrie has come—and where it could be heading in the future.

Emerald Flag Exercise 2024

Emerald Flag, an Air Force-led series of exercises, focuses on integrating various platforms across military branches in a multi-domain environment.

This year’s event took place at Eglin Air Force Base, a hub for testing and development activities.

The 2024 iteration of Emerald Flag put the spotlight on the Valkyrie, a “Loyal Wingman” drone designed to work alongside piloted aircraft like the F-35B fighter.

During the exercise, the Valkyrie demonstrated its ability to act as a forward-deployed sensor platform, providing critical targeting data to Marine Corps F-35Bs and other aircraft through a secure data link known as Link-16.

This capability allows real-time information sharing, enhancing situational awareness for the entire joint force.

The successful test is a significant step in advancing manned-unmanned teaming, where drones work hand-in-hand with human pilots to complete complex missions.

According to Col. Derek Brannon of the Marine Corps, “The success of this flight test during Emerald Flag pushed the manned-unmanned teaming concept a step further for the entire Joint Force,” cited from USNI News.

The ability of the Valkyrie to relay targeting data effectively lays the groundwork for its future use in combat scenarios, where speed, adaptability, and coordination are essential.

What Is the XQ-58A Valkyrie?

The XQ-58A Valkyrie is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle developed by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory.

It falls under a category known as “attritable” aircraft, which means it’s built to be low-cost and expendable.

While it’s reusable, it’s also designed to perform missions where losses might be acceptable, offering a cheaper and more flexible alternative to traditional manned or high-end unmanned aircraft.

What makes the Valkyrie special is its affordability and versatility.

Traditional aircraft, whether manned or unmanned, come with high operational costs and significant maintenance demands, making them impractical for certain missions.

The Valkyrie addresses these challenges, providing an option that can perform vital tasks at a fraction of the cost.

Runway independence adds to its appeal, allowing it to be deployed from locations where conventional aircraft might not be able to operate.

Development and Design History

The XQ-58A’s journey began as a project to develop a low-cost, high-performance UAV that could be fielded quickly.

The goal was to create an aircraft that could be produced using advanced design tools and commercial manufacturing processes to cut down on time and expense.

After a rapid development phase of about two and a half years, the Valkyrie took its first flight on March 5, 2019.

Since then, it has undergone a series of flight tests, each pushing its capabilities further.

Notable tests included a July 2023 demonstration where the Valkyrie flew using artificial intelligence algorithms, showcasing its potential for autonomous operations.

The development path has emphasized a “crawl, walk, run” approach, gradually expanding the drone’s mission set and improving its technology.

Technical Specifications and Capabilities

The Valkyrie is a long-range, agile aircraft capable of high-speed maneuvers, making it suitable for a variety of missions.

Its primary role is to serve as a forward sensor, providing real-time intelligence and targeting information to manned aircraft.

The use of Link-16 data links enables it to communicate effectively with 5th-generation fighters like the F-35, integrating seamlessly into the broader military network.

Designed to be runway-independent, the Valkyrie offers maximum operational flexibility, making it an ideal platform for rapidly changing battlefield conditions.

Its low maintenance requirements and relatively low cost mean that it can be deployed in high-risk environments without the financial implications associated with more sophisticated systems.

Why Is the XQ-58A Important?

As defense budgets face increasing pressures and the cost of high-end military aircraft continues to rise, there is a growing need for affordable solutions that don’t sacrifice performance.

The XQ-58A addresses this need by providing a cost-effective way to project airpower, even in contested environments.

As mentioned, its “attritable” nature means that it can perform dangerous missions while reducing the risks to human pilots. This approach also allows for larger numbers of UAVs to be fielded, increasing operational mass and complexity, which can overwhelm an adversary’s defenses.

The Valkyrie’s development is part of a broader trend in military aviation toward manned-unmanned teaming, where drones work alongside piloted aircraft to enhance mission effectiveness.

By serving as an expendable partner to more advanced aircraft, the Valkyrie can carry out tasks such as electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and even long-range strikes.

Its ability to operate autonomously using artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithms further extends its usefulness, potentially enabling it to conduct missions with minimal human oversight.

The Path Forward: Future Program Objectives

The recent integration test at Emerald Flag represents just one of several planned evaluations for the Valkyrie.

The program has two more scheduled tests under the original PAACK-P (Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer – Portfolio) requirements, aimed at further exploring the drone’s potential.

These tests will continue to evaluate the Valkyrie’s role in providing autonomous support to combat air patrols, assisting with electronic warfare, and supporting long-range fire missions.

The success of these tests will help determine how the Valkyrie fits into the US military’s future aviation strategy, especially within the Advanced Battle Management Systems framework. By serving as a communications gateway and forward sensor, the drone could play a key role in multi-domain operations, where speed, data, and adaptability are critical.

Conclusion

The XQ-58A Valkyrie is more than just another drone; it represents a shift in how the US military approaches air combat. By focusing on affordability, flexibility, and rapid deployment, the Valkyrie program aims to meet the challenges of modern warfare head-on.

Its recent success at Emerald Flag has brought it one step closer to becoming a critical component of the US military’s arsenal, providing a glimpse into the future of unmanned aviation.

With its ability to integrate seamlessly with existing systems and adapt to various mission requirements, the XQ-58A is well-positioned to help shape the next generation of air combat strategies.

As future flight tests continue to push its capabilities, the Valkyrie could soon find itself at the forefront of military operations, proving that sometimes, the best way to secure victory is with a smaller, smarter, and more expendable partner in the skies.