General Atomics reveals experimental XQ-67A uncrewed jet

Multiple media outlets have reported that General Atomics has revealed the existence of a new experimental uncrewed jet the company is developing for the US Air Force (USAF).

London-based Flight Global states the company revealed the new type, which it calls the XQ-67A, on 8 February.

“We think you’re looking at the future of unmanned combat air vehicles,” C. Mark Brinkley, senior director of communications and marketing at General Atomics, was reported as saying.

Officially known as the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS), the uncrewed jet was developed and built for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the service’s research and technology development centre.

Neither AFRL nor General Atomics offered any specific details about the programme’s goals or test parameters – including whether or not flight testing has begun.

Flight Global says General Atomics is believed to be among the five aerospace manufacturers selected by the USAF to develop Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) to team with the service’s eventual sixth-generation combat fighter.

It remains unclear if General Atomics intends to put forward the XQ-67 for the CCA role, reports Flight Global: the company is also developing an autonomous jet concept it calls the Gambit, which appears tailored for the CCA mission.