The Air Force Research Laboratory is exploring using a common car manufacturing technique to build affordable autonomous drones in large numbers. On February 28, AFRL’s Aerospace Systems Directorate flew a General Atomics XQ-67A drone for the first time. This drone was built on a chassis that could serve as the foundation for various other drones, following the automobile industry’s concept of “platform sharing.”
AFRL hopes this approach will revolutionize drone construction, enabling easier mass production and lower costs, potentially creating fleets of autonomous drones to accompany manned fighters. The goal is to field Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) that can operate autonomously as wingmen for fighters like the F-35.
The XQ-67A’s successful first flight demonstrated the feasibility of the platform-sharing strategy. This drone is designed to carry sensors and operate autonomously alongside crewed fighters. Future drones built on the same chassis could perform missions such as striking enemy targets or electronic warfare.
The XQ-67A program grew out of the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Technologies initiative, leading to the development of the XQ-67A Valkyrie. AFRL explored the platform-sharing concept to achieve cost-effective drone construction. The hope is that a common underlying structure will lower costs and streamline the development of future drone generations.
Overall, the platform-sharing strategy could help the Air Force achieve affordable mass production of drones, supporting its vision for Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Successful experimentation with the XQ-67A opens the door for more ambitious flight tests and the possibility of fleets of autonomous drones flying alongside crewed fighters.
