Northrop Grumman to develop U.S. Marine Corps collaborative combat aircraft using Kratos Valkyrie UAS

By Martin Chomsky (Defence Industry Europe)

Northrop Grumman has been competitively selected by the U.S. Marine Corps to develop the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme. The award combines the company’s autonomous and uncrewed capabilities with the Valkyrie uncrewed aerial system from Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to operate alongside crewed fighters in high-threat environments.
Photo: U.S. Marine Corps.

Northrop Grumman has been competitively selected by the U.S. Marine Corps to develop the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme. The award combines the company’s autonomous and uncrewed capabilities with the Valkyrie uncrewed aerial system from Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to operate alongside crewed fighters in high-threat environments.

 

The rapidly delivered platforms will integrate an advanced mission kit with sensors and software-defined technologies, open architecture autonomy software known as Prism, and the Valkyrie aircraft configured for multiple mission profiles. The system is designed to support conventional take-off and landing, flexible runway operations and modular payloads to deliver both kinetic and non-kinetic effects.

 

 

Krys Moen, vice president for advanced mission capabilities at Northrop Grumman, said: “Northrop Grumman remains at the forefront of advanced sensing capabilities, delivering innovative solutions that meet the needs of the warfighter with unmatched speed and reliability.” He added: “This enhanced capability set ensures optimal performance for both crewed and uncrewed platforms.”

 

 

Steve Fendley, president of Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division, said: “The integration of the Kratos Valkyrie aircraft system configured with the world’s best multifunction mission systems from Northrop Grumman results in a high-capability CCA at a price point that enables the uncrewed systems to be deployed in mass with crewed aircraft.” Northrop Grumman said more than 20 successful flight demonstrations have already been completed, offering the Marine Corps a low-risk and accelerated path to MUX TACAIR operational capability.

 

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