LongShot, aiming to introduce air-to-air missile tractor UAVs that can be air-launched, received the X-68 designation shortly before the start of flight tests.
DARPA announced the X designation for the LongShot prototype being developed by General Atomics as X-68A on its social media account, adding that the flight test is getting close following the completion of ‘several milestones’. According to DARPA's news release, the UAV will be dropped from an F-15 towards the end of 2026.
The LongShot programme was launched to develop an air-launched UAV to carry air-to-air missiles for fighter jets, starting with the widely deployed AIM-120 AMRAAM. It is also possible that LongShot will benefit from the AIM-260 JATM to succeed the AMRAAM line with new capabilities, including increased range.
X-68A demonstrator is expected to be a cruise missile-sized UAV with two hardpoints to mount air-to-air missiles externally or internally. DARPA’s representation shows a layout with a downward-looking V-tail, rear wings, and canards to allow easier mounting under aircraft pylons. According to some of the sketches, the wings and tail can fold, possibly to optimise carriage for bombers and cargo pallets (Similar to Rapid Dragon concept for cruise missiles) in the future.
UAVs linked to a fighter to launch missiles remotely can provide various benefits during combat, such as extending the reach beyond the main aircraft’s constraints or firing from multiple vectors to reduce the chances of evasion.
Another possibility for such UAVs is ground-based launch and operation for quick interception missions, considering the time it takes for a manned fighter to sortie from preparation to takeoff.
A somewhat primitive form of LongShot’s mechanics has been recently employed by Russia, using the Geran series of kamikaze UAVs with R-60 air-to-air missiles. According to Russian sources, two Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopters tasked with interception were shot down using the missile. While the combat record remains to be confirmed, one should not rule out the risks even with a simpler platform than X-68A and an equally older missile than AIM-120 or AIM-9X.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
