The US Marine Corps has successfully completed a groundbreaking test of its experimental XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aircraft, marking a significant advancement in AI-driven military aviation. During the Emerald Flag 2024 exercises at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, the autonomous aircraft demonstrated its capability to work alongside F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets as a “loyal wingman,” providing critical targeting data and enhancing combat effectiveness.
The fourth flight test for the Marine Corps’ Valkyrie program showcased the aircraft’s ability to function as a forward-deployed sensing platform, delivering threat targeting information to fifth-generation aircraft and rapidly closing advanced kill chains. The XQ-58A Valkyrie, manufactured by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, is designed as a highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle with stealth capabilities.
These “loyal wingman” aircraft represent a new era in military aviation, featuring artificial-intelligence-driven autonomy that enables them to operate semi-independently while coordinating with manned aircraft. The Marine Corps ordered two Valkyries in late 2022 as part of the Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer — Portfolio (PAACK) program, with the first test flight occurring in October 2023.
During the recent test, the Valkyrie successfully connected with F-35B aircraft and other platforms through tactical data links, enabling seamless digital communication across the combat network. The F-35B, a short-takeoff/vertical-landing variant manufactured by Lockheed Martin, serves as a quarterback for American combat operations, and the addition of AI-powered unmanned wingmen significantly amplifies its capabilities.
Col. Derek Brannon, branch head for the Cunningham Group and deputy commandant for aviation, emphasized that the testing “marked another milestone in the Marine Corps’ unmanned tactical aircraft program.” The Valkyrie first flew in 2019 as part of the US Air Force’s Low Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator program, and multiple service branches are now experimenting with the technology.
The testing at Emerald Flag involved collaboration with US Air Force test and evaluation units, naval-aviation operations, and defense-engineering offices, focusing on integrating advanced long-range kill chains and testing emerging technologies across air, space, and cyber domains.
Key Quotes
The success of this flight test during Emerald Flag pushed the manned-unmanned teaming concept a step further for the entire Joint Force.
Cmdr. Darin Russell Brannon emphasized the significance of the test, highlighting how AI-powered unmanned aircraft are advancing collaborative combat capabilities across all military branches, not just the Marine Corps.
marked another milestone in the Marine Corps’ unmanned tactical aircraft program
Col. Derek Brannon, branch head for the Cunningham Group and deputy commandant for aviation, acknowledged the progress in integrating AI-driven autonomous aircraft into operational military frameworks.
effectively demonstrated its capabilities as a forward-deployed sensing platform—providing critical threat targeting data to Marine Corps fifth-generation aircraft to rapidly close advanced kill chains
The Marine Corps’ official statement describes how the AI-powered Valkyrie serves as an intelligence-gathering platform that enhances the F-35’s combat effectiveness through real-time data sharing and autonomous coordination.
Our Take
The successful integration of AI-powered unmanned wingmen with F-35 fighters represents more than just a military milestone—it’s a proof point for enterprise-grade AI autonomy. The fact that these systems can operate reliably in combat scenarios, making real-time decisions while coordinating with manned aircraft, demonstrates AI’s readiness for mission-critical applications. The “low-cost attritable” approach is particularly noteworthy, suggesting a future where AI systems are designed to be expendable yet effective, fundamentally changing cost-benefit calculations in both military and commercial contexts. This could accelerate AI adoption in industries like logistics, transportation, and manufacturing, where similar autonomous coordination challenges exist. The 2024 timeline also indicates that AI deployment cycles are compressing, with systems moving from concept to operational capability in just a few years—a pace that commercial enterprises should note as they plan their own AI strategies.
Why This Matters
This development represents a pivotal moment in military AI adoption and autonomous systems integration. The successful testing of AI-powered unmanned wingmen alongside manned fighter jets demonstrates how artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming modern warfare and defense strategies. The technology addresses critical military needs: reducing pilot risk, extending operational range, and multiplying combat effectiveness without proportionally increasing costs.
The “loyal wingman” concept has broader implications beyond military applications. The AI systems enabling autonomous coordination, real-time data sharing, and decision-making in high-stakes combat environments will likely influence civilian aviation, autonomous vehicles, and industrial robotics. The emphasis on low-cost, attritable platforms also signals a shift in defense procurement toward AI-enabled systems that can be produced at scale.
For the AI industry, this validates the maturity of autonomous systems capable of operating in complex, dynamic environments. It demonstrates that AI can handle mission-critical tasks requiring split-second decisions, potentially accelerating investment and development in autonomous technologies across sectors. The integration of these systems by 2024 also highlights the rapid pace of AI adoption in defense, setting benchmarks for reliability and performance that will influence commercial AI development.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/us-marines-unmanned-aircraft-targeting-data-for-f-35-jets-2024-10