GA-ASI poised to begin LongShot flight testing

San Diego-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is poised to begin the flight-testing phase on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) LongShot program. The LongShot program, begun in 2020, is DARPA’s concept for disruptive air combat operations through demonstration of an air-to-air weapons-capable air vehicle.

The concept seeks to significantly increase engagement range and mission effectiveness of current 4th gen fighters such as the F-15 and F-16, and their air-to-air missiles. It will enable them to carry an air-launched semi-stealthy vehicle that can be launched at stand-off ranges before approaching an enemy and itself launching current generations of air-air missiles, such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder.

General Atomics won the contract to develop LongShot by DARPA and, over the past three years, has iterated on numerous vehicle designs to optimize performance. The company will complete the design enroute to flight testing in 2024. The testing will validate basic vehicle handling characteristics and lay the foundation for follow-on development and testing.

“We are extremely excited to get in the air!” said Mike Atwood, Vice President of Advanced Aircraft Programs at GA-ASI. “Flight testing will validate digital designs that have been refined throughout the course of the project. General Atomics is dedicated to leveraging this process to rapidly deliver innovative unmanned capabilities for national defense.”