The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and General Atomics are preparing to conduct flight tests of their fighter-launched LongShot missile drones. The aircraft is part of an effort to drag fourth-generation fighter jets into the 21st century aerial battlefield.
Although we are living in an era of full deployment of fifth-generation fighters such as the F-35 Lightning II, we are already anticipating the arrival of sixth-generation fighters within the next decade. This is a mixed blessing, as all major powers still have fleets of fourth-generation fighter jets in their inventories. The question is, how do you keep them functional instead of becoming museum pieces?
The LongShot, developed by General Atomics since 2020, combines air-to-air missiles with jet-powered drones that can be launched from fighter jets. This would allow older warplanes to compete against more advanced adversaries by allowing the "Lance" to engage and fire on them.
Flight trials are planned to begin in 2024 and will focus on evaluating the aircraft’s basic handling characteristics. The data collected will be used to plan further modifications and testing.
"We are very excited to get airborne," said Mike Atwood, vice president of advanced aircraft programs at GA-ASI. "The flight test will validate the digital design that has been continuously refined throughout the program. General Atomics is committed to using this process to quickly deliver innovative unmanned capabilities to the defense."