General Atomics XQ-67A

Lore & Background

In February 2023 the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) announced that GA-ASI had been selected to build and test a UAV for the Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) program, intended to fly ahead of and pass data back to manned aircraft. The prototype was publicly unveiled by GA-ASI on 8 February 2024. It is unclear whether or not the XQ-67A is capable of carrying weapons.

The XQ-67A had its first flight on 28 February 2024 from GA-ASI's Grey Butte Flight Operations Facility near Palmdale, California. The AFRL stated that the XQ-67A is the first of a second generation of autonomous collaborative platforms, following the success of the XQ-58A Valkyrie. The XQ-67A proves the common chassis, or 'genus', approach to aircraft design, build and test, which paves the way for other aircraft 'species' to be rapidly replicated on a standard genus chassis.

On 24 April 2024, upon being awarded for the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) Increment I, GA-ASI announced that the XQ-67A was a prototype for the CCA program and that the official entry for the CCA, later designated the YFQ-42, would be based on the XQ-67A and feature a common core system. It is speculated that the XQ-67A is representative of 'Gambit 1', the first iteration of the previously revealed General Atomics Gambit family, but GA-ASI has made no specific connection between the XQ-67A, the CCA program, and Gambit.

Reader's Guide

The XQ-67A represents a significant step in the evolution of autonomous collaborative platforms for the United States Air Force. As the first of a second generation of such aircraft, it builds on lessons from the XQ-58A Valkyrie, aiming to provide credible and affordable mass for the warfighter. Its most notable contribution is the demonstration of the 'genus' approach to aircraft design, where a common chassis can serve as a foundation for multiple specialized 'species' of aircraft, such as an Off-Board Sensing Station or an Off-Board Weapon Station. This modular concept could accelerate development and reduce costs for future unmanned systems.

The XQ-67A's role as a prototype for the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) Increment I program further underscores its importance. The official CCA entry, designated YFQ-42, is based on the XQ-67A and shares a common core system. While speculation links the XQ-67A to the General Atomics Gambit family, specifically 'Gambit 1', the manufacturer has not confirmed this connection. The aircraft's ability to carry weapons remains unclear, leaving its exact operational role open to interpretation. Overall, the XQ-67A serves as a testbed for concepts that may shape the future of loyal wingman and collaborative combat aircraft.

Did You Know?

• The XQ-67A is a prototype for the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) Increment I program, with the official entry designated YFQ-42.
• It is speculated to be representative of 'Gambit 1' of the General Atomics Gambit family, though GA-ASI has not confirmed this.