Kratos successfully demonstrates trolley takeoff for XQ-58

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has recently successfully demonstrated the Kratos Trolley Launch System (KTLS) for the XQ-58 Valkyrie unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). This test took place at the Grand Sky Range in North Dakota, United States, which was established at the Grand Forks Air Force Base in 2021 to facilitate the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and hypersonic weapons.

The KTLS, an unpowered system, relies solely on the aircraft’s jet engine for takeoff thrust. During the fully autonomous takeoff, the Valkyrie's engine accelerates down the runway with the KTLS, after which the two separate at lift-off speed. The KTLS then deploys drogue chutes and brakes to a stop on the runway, enabling the aircraft to proceed with its mission. This innovative system allows the Valkyrie to take off from regular runways or straight roads without requiring Rocket Assist Take-Off (RATO) or other acceleration devices. The KTLS method complements the existing RATO system, which allows the Valkyrie to operate from unprepared locations.

By eliminating the need for regular retractable gear, kilometresRATO and KTLS enable the aircraft to carry more weight and fuel while reducing maintenance costs. The Valkyrie is designed to operate with a range of 1,500 nautical miles (2,700 kilometers), a top speed of Mach 0.9, and the ability to transport a payload of 272 kilograms.

Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, emphasized the company's commitment to addressing present defence challenges with feasible, near-term, and cost-effective solutions. Fendley stated, “The perfect capability solution too late is an abject failure,” emphasizing the importance of timely and practical innovations in defence technology.

The XQ-58 Valkyrie represents an early model of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) developed by the USAF, intended to operate alongside manned fighters like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, thereby extending the range of other aircraft while ensuring the safety of pilots.