The US Air Force's latest X-plane looks like a missile — that shoots other missiles
The US Air Force's Latest X-Plane: A Missile That Shoots Other Missiles
The U.S. military is developing a new experimental aircraft that looks a lot like a cruise missile, one that is also capable of launching its own missiles. The new X-plane, officially designated as the X-68A, is an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) that closely resembles a cruise missile, but unlike traditional cruise missiles, it is designed to launch from another aircraft and then launch air-to-air weapons of its own.
The LongShot Program: A New Capability for the US Air Force
The X-68A is being developed by the LongShot program, a project helmed by the U.S. military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) that aims to give air forces a new capability that can increase the reach of fighter jets while keeping pilots out of harm's way. Col. John Casey, the DARPA program manager for LongShot, told Space.com that the program has been working to reduce the risks associated with deploying an aircraft from another aircraft. And according to Casey, the program is nearing its first flight.
Testing the X-68A: A Complex Flight Vehicle
Before the X-68A can fly for the first time, the vehicle must undergo extensive testing. DARPA published a statement that details the recent tests they've been working on for the experiment aircraft. A few of these include testing the X-68A inside a full-scale wind tunnel, as well as trials to see how the vehicle performs with parachute recovery and weapons-release systems. Casey said these tests "demonstrate significant progress" for the X-plane's capability.
The First Test Flights: A Safe and Effective Employment of the X-68A
The first test flights, which may happen as early as the end of this year, will prove "safe and effective employment of the X-68A from an F-15 Eagle" and demonstrate the vehicle's ability to "safely eject a captive sub-munition," a spokesperson from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems wrote in a statement. In other words, the flights will test the X-68A's ability to launch from another aircraft like a missile, and then launch its own missiles.
A Host-Platform Agnostic Capability
This concept of using vehicles that can be employed from another aircraft while it's in the air is intended to work with different kinds of aircraft, like fighters and bombers. DARPA calls this "host-platform agnostic." Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) acts as the military's research arm, often working on moonshot technologies that go on to have wide-ranging impacts in society.
Implications and Future Directions
The development of the X-68A and the LongShot program has significant implications for the future of military aviation. The ability to launch aircraft from other aircraft while in the air could revolutionize the way that military forces operate, allowing for greater flexibility and range. Additionally, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could reduce the risk of pilot injury or death, making military operations safer and more efficient.
Conclusion
The X-68A is a significant development in the field of military aviation, and its potential implications are far-reaching. As the program continues to move forward, it will be interesting to see how the X-68A and the LongShot program shape the future of military aviation and beyond.
Technical Details
- The X-68A is an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) that closely resembles a cruise missile.
- The vehicle is designed to launch from another aircraft and then launch air-to-air weapons of its own.
- The X-68A is being developed by the LongShot program, a project helmed by the U.S. military's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
- The program aims to give air forces a new capability that can increase the reach of fighter jets while keeping pilots out of harm's way.
- The X-68A has undergone extensive testing, including testing inside a full-scale wind tunnel and trials with parachute recovery and weapons-release systems.
- The first test flights are expected to take place as early as the end of this year.
References
- DARPA. (2023). LongShot Program.
- Space.com. (2023). US Air Force's X-68A Uncrewed Aircraft to Launch from F-15 Eagle.
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. (2023). X-68A Uncrewed Aircraft System.
