US Marine Corps Demonstrates Link 16 Capabilities During Third XQ-58 Valkyrie Test Flight.

The US Marine Corps marked a milestone on September 20, 2024, with the successful completion of the third test flight of the XQ-58A Valkyrie at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. This test, conducted in collaboration with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, and several industry partners, highlighted newly integrated Link-16 capabilities for the uncrewed combat aircraft prototype. It was the first time the Department of Defense managed an air vehicle using offboard expeditionary control methods, a breakthrough that could reshape future operations.

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A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, a highly autonomous and low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, flew during its second test at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, on February 23, 2023 (Picture source: US DoD)

The XQ-58A Valkyrie, an uncrewed and highly autonomous platform, showed promising results in the initial tests. The prototype successfully exchanged relevant tactical data autonomously, meeting the threshold requirements for its Link-16 functionality.

This capability enhances the Marine Corps' ability to perform integrated and joint operations within the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, allowing for more efficient information sharing and collaboration across domains. These advancements are crucial for the Marine Corps as it prepares to face increasingly complex and evolving security challenges, including deterring conflict and defeating adversaries in high-stakes scenarios.

The successful flight test sets the stage for the upcoming Emerald Flag 2024 exercise, scheduled for October. This multiservice and multi-domain training event will integrate new technologies and focus on enhancing the efficiency of joint warfare.

With the XQ-58A Valkyrie ready for this capstone exercise, the Marine Corps will demonstrate the potential of cooperative kill chain closure between manned and unmanned platforms during large-scale force operations. This test flight further positions the XQ-58A as a vital asset in future joint operations, reinforcing the ongoing push for innovation within the US military.

As the XQ-58A Valkyrie continues to evolve through rigorous testing and operational exercises, it plays a central role in informing future requirements for the Marine Corps. The data collected from these test flights will contribute to the Marine Corps’ ability to adapt to the fast-changing security environment.

By embracing new technologies and fostering experimentation, the Marine Corps is poised to maintain its edge in modern warfare, ensuring it remains a formidable force capable of addressing future threats.