The XQ-58 Valkyrie is a high-performance, stealthy unmanned tactical drone designed for collaborative combat operations with allied forces.

# XQ-58 Valkyrie – Collaborative Combat UAV

The XQ-58 Valkyrie is a next-generation Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) developed by Kratos Defense. Operational since 2019, the Valkyrie pioneers tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS) technology and seamless integration with manned aircraft in joint operations.

Key Features

• Stealthy, high-performance design for collaborative operations with F-35s, F-22s, F-15EXs, and F-18s

• Long-range capability: 3,000+ nautical miles (~5,666 km)

• High-speed operation: 0.86 Mach with altitudes up to 45,000 ft (~13,716 m)

• Flexible payload: Internal bomb bay and wing stations for kinetic and non-kinetic effectors

• Runway independence: Operates from austere or improved runways and pre-deployed locations

Design & Engineering

The Valkyrie employs a clean-sheet autonomous collaborative platform (ACP) design, offering high capability at an attritable cost. Leveraging AI and autonomy, it can operate independently or integrate into manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) missions.

Operational Advantages

• Enhances lethality and survivability of allied forces

• Provides autonomous electronic support for crewed platforms

• Enables manned-unmanned collaboration for advanced combat patrols

• Designed for attritable operations, keeping production and deployment costs low

Production & Deployment

• Built at Kratos’ Oklahoma City manufacturing facility

• In active production and operational use with the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps

• Part of Low-Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator program