XQ-58A Valkyrie

The XQ-58A Valkyrie is a runway-independent, rocket-assisted takeoff jet-powered uncrewed aircraft built around the concept of 'attritable' autonomy: low enough in unit cost that commanders can accept combat losses without breaking the force structure. It carries an internal weapons bay, offers a combat radius of roughly 3,000 nautical miles, and was developed under the Air Force Research Laboratory's Low Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator program.

Valkyrie flew its first sortie with a pilot-in-command AI agent in 2023, has operated alongside F-22 and F-35 fighters in manned-unmanned teaming experiments, and was selected by the Marine Corps as a penetrating ISR and electronic attack platform. It is a leading contender in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program that will reshape the next decade of U.S. air power.

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