The US Marine Corps has demonstrated the Link-16 tactical communication system on the XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aerial vehicle.
Link-16 is a standardized encrypted tactical data link network for transmitting and exchanging real-time tactical data, such as text, image, and voice, among multiple users.
It is used by NATO members and some other militaries.
The capability enhances the service’s “ability to conduct integrated and joint operations, contributing to the Marine Corps’ mission to deter conflict and, when necessary, defeat enemies in complex and evolving scenarios,” the US Marine Corps stated in a press release.
It was the first time a US military aircraft was controlled by an off-board communication system, the service added.
The test was conducted in preparation for Emerald Flag 2024, a multiservice and multi-domain training exercise scheduled for October.
XQ-58A Valkyrie
The XQ-58A has a cruising speed of Mach 0.72, a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters), and a range of approximately 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers).
It costs around $5.5 million, including test, launch, and support equipment, while the XQ-58B has a cheaper price tag of $4 million.
The company aims to bring the cost down further to $2 million per unit, less than many current missiles.
The fact that it is runway-independent allows it to be deployed from far-flung locations, nearer to adversary bases.
Potential Roles
Apart from kinetic roles, the Marine Corps intends to use the low-cost, expendable drone for electronic warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance, and as a wingman for crewed fighters.
Flight tests are planned for the Kratos drone in support of the “penetrating affordable autonomous collaborative killer portfolio” program.
The service bought a pair of XQ-58As in early 2023 and has conducted three flights.
“The XQ-58A provides the Marine Corps with a testbed platform for developing technologies and new concepts in support of the Marine Air Ground Task Force, such as autonomous flight and unmanned teaming with crewed aircraft,” the service said in February.
“The XQ-58A has a total of six planned test flights which will evaluate the effectiveness of autonomous electronic support to crewed platforms like the USMC F-35B Lightning II and the potential for AI-enabled platforms to augment combat air patrols.”