XQ-58A Valkyrie

An XQ-58A Valkyrie low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle launches at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., Dec. 9, 2020. The flight successfully demonstrated the ability of new communications data to exchange information with an F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and the transformative warfighting impact of the open architecture underpinning the Advanced Battle Management System. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua King)

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XQ-58A Valkyrie

DAYTON, Ohio -- The XQ-58A Valkyrie on public display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This aircraft successfully demonstrated the ability of new communications data to exchange information with an F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and the transformative warfighting impact of the open architecture underpinning the Advanced Battle Management System.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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XQ-58A Valkyrie

DAYTON, Ohio -- The XQ-58A Valkyrie being towed from restoration to the National Museum of the USAF for public display on October 1, 2022. This aircraft successfully demonstrated the ability of new communications data to exchange information with an F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and the transformative warfighting impact of the open architecture underpinning the Advanced Battle Management System.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

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XQ-58A Valkyrie

DAYTON, Ohio -- The XQ-58A Valkyrie being towed from restoration to the National Museum of the USAF for public display on October 1, 2022. This aircraft successfully demonstrated the ability of new communications data to exchange information with an F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and the transformative warfighting impact of the open architecture underpinning the Advanced Battle Management System.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
XQ-58A Valkyrie

DAYTON, Ohio -- The XQ-58A Valkyrie being towed from restoration to the National Museum of the USAF for public display on October 1, 2022. This aircraft successfully demonstrated the ability of new communications data to exchange information with an F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and the transformative warfighting impact of the open architecture underpinning the Advanced Battle Management System.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
XQ-58A Valkyrie

DAYTON, Ohio -- The XQ-58A Valkyrie being towed from restoration to the National Museum of the USAF for public display on October 1, 2022. This aircraft successfully demonstrated the ability of new communications data to exchange information with an F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and the transformative warfighting impact of the open architecture underpinning the Advanced Battle Management System.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
XQ-58A Valkyrie

DAYTON, Ohio -- The XQ-58A Valkyrie being moved from restoration to the National Museum of the USAF for public display on October 1, 2022. This aircraft successfully demonstrated the ability of new communications data to exchange information with an F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and the transformative warfighting impact of the open architecture underpinning the Advanced Battle Management System.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
XQ-58A Valkyrie

DAYTON, Ohio -- The XQ-58A Valkyrie being moved from restoration to the National Museum of the USAF for public display on October 1, 2022. This aircraft successfully demonstrated the ability of new communications data to exchange information with an F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and the transformative warfighting impact of the open architecture underpinning the Advanced Battle Management System.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
XQ-58A Valkyrie

DAYTON, Ohio -- The XQ-58A Valkyrie being moved from restoration to the National Museum of the USAF for public display on October 1, 2022. This aircraft successfully demonstrated the ability of new communications data to exchange information with an F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and the transformative warfighting impact of the open architecture underpinning the Advanced Battle Management System.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
XQ-58A Valkyrie

DAYTON, Ohio -- The XQ-58A Valkyrie being moved from restoration to the National Museum of the USAF for public display on October 1, 2022. This aircraft successfully demonstrated the ability of new communications data to exchange information with an F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II and the transformative warfighting impact of the open architecture underpinning the Advanced Battle Management System.(U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie

The XQ-58A Valkyrie is the first example of a new class of high performance unmanned aircraft that can be rapidly built and used in large numbers, and will work in teams with manned aircraft. The XQ-58A on display flew the first flight tests for this aircraft type.

To respond to rising costs for manned fighters, the US Air Force directed the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to develop a high performance, low cost aircraft. Kratos UAS built the Valkyrie in partnership with AFRL.

Valkyrie did not use a runway. Instead, it launched with rocket assist from a launcher/transport trailer, and landed using parachutes and airbags to cushion its impact with the ground. The aircraft has an internal weapons bay for small munitions tested on later flights with other XQ-58A aircraft. The XQ-58A development took place under AFRL’s Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technologies initiative in 2019.

Technical Notes:
Speed: 652 mph
Range: 3,500 miles
Ceiling: 44,997 ft
Max weight: 6,000 lbs

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