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Advanced / Transformational Technology

Air Force to Begin Rapid Solicitation for Skyborg Program Soon

By Vivienne Machi

Tuesday, March 31st, 2020

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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…

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