Aerospace Group:

Advanced / Transformational Technology

Air Force to Begin Rapid Solicitation for Skyborg Program Soon

By Vivienne Machi

Tuesday, March 31st, 2020

SHARE:

Air Force to Begin Rapid Solicitation for Skyborg Program Soon

A Skyborg conceptual design for a low cost attritable Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle. (Air Force Research Laboratory artwork)

The Air Force is ready to begin procuring new attritable aircraft at higher volumes under its “Skyborg” test and experimentation program, the service’s top acquisition official said March 27. Since early 2019, the service has been performing tests and evaluations with a Kratos [KTOS]-made XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aerial vehicle, co-developed with the Air Force Research Laboratory. The team has been exploring ways to use artificial intelligence technologies to connect the Valkyrie vehicle, or others like it, to tactical fighters as…

Congress

Dem Lawmakers Want To Codify Trump’s Push For More Defense Contractor Accountability

A group of four Congressional Democrats want to codify President Donald Trump’s push to hold defense firms accountable for prioritizing production investments over paying out stock buybacks, and are seeking […]

Unmanned Systems

In Response To Flag Concerns, DoD Looks To Reduce Drone Prices, As Order for 30,000 Looms

The Pentagon is bargain shopping for Group 1 drones, as other countries, including Ukraine and China, have taken advantage of consumer electronics-level prices to bolster their stables. “In last spring’s […]

Pentagon

Amid Questions On Weapons Stockpiles, Caine Says U.S. Has ‘Sufficient’ Munitions For Iran Operation

Pentagon leaders on Wednesday sought to quell concerns over the rate at which the U.S. is employing critical munitions in its military strike campaign against Iran, with lawmakers also pressing […]

Congress

SASC Leaders Criticize Trump’s Defense Strategy, Press Colby On Policy Shifts

Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) leadership on Tuesday criticized the Trump administration’s new National Defense Strategy (NDS) and pressed the Pentagon’s top policy official to explain the document’s priorities. SASC […]