General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has confirmed the announcement regarding the LongShot system, an unmanned aircraft developed in collaboration with DARPA now designated X-68A by the USAF.
The LongShot, an unmanned air superiority system, is set to revolutionize aerial combat, allowing larger aircraft to launch air-to-air missiles against enemy targets, thus keeping pilots at a safer distance from the combat zone.
GA-ASI has begun work on the platform; in recent days it announced the completion of wind tunnel testing.
The X-68A can be integrated onto various platforms, such as fighters and bombers, or used as palletized munitions by transport aircraft.
Flight tests are expected by the end of the year with an F-15 Eagle to confirm flight suitability and the ability to safely dispense submunitions.
The X-68A is the second X-Plane from GA-ASI, alongside the XQ-67A, an aircraft built for the US Air Force Research Lab, and joins a growing fleet of advanced jet fighters, including the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft developed for the USAF.
Source and image credit @General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI)