XQ-67A: First Flight

The Air Force Research Laboratory successfully flew the first of a second-generation of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms known as the XQ-67A demonstrator, built and flown in the Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) program Feb. 28, 2024. The AFRL Off-Board Sensing Station program is the validation of a design, build and test process that has resulted in the XQ-67A. It is the first of its kind to be built on a common chassis or genus — much like that of a motor vehicle frame — and with its first successful flight, the XQ-67A is proof that the genus approach works. This enables a faster and more cost-effective replication of the aircraft.  This new approach also responds to the challenge of great power competition by speeding delivery of affordable, advanced capabilities to the warfighter.  The XQ-67A is remotely piloted but is capable of autonomous flight. The first test flight of the XQ-67A, took place at the General Atomics Gray Butte Flight Operations Facility near Palmdale, California. Courtesy Video/General Atomics #AFResearchLab | #AirForce | #AFRLTech | #AFRL