The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has released a video of the first flight of the XQ-67A unmanned aerial vehicle, which took place on February 28, 2024. This aircraft is a representative of the II generation of Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) developed under the Onboard Sensor Stations (OBSS) program.
The XQ-67A, developed and built by General Atomics, successfully passed all checkpoints and completed the first series of flight tests. This aircraft is based on a new «common chassis» architecture, which allows for the efficient development and deployment of aircraft.
The XQ-67A project aims to create reliable and efficient platforms capable of autonomous flight, opening up new perspectives for military operations.
The flight tests were conducted at General Atomics’ base at Gray Butte Field (Palmdale, California). The XQ-67A is the first II generation ACP platform that complements efforts to deploy Joint Combat Aircraft (CCA) such as the X-62 VISTA and F-16 VENOM.
AFRL continues to actively develop initiatives aimed at accelerating scientific and technological developments that ensure flexibility and continuous advancement. The LCAAPS program explores the possibilities of creating a basic architecture for the development of various types of aircraft, leading to faster and more cost-effective implementation of military projects.
