XQ-67A will serve as the prototype for the OBSS program about which little information is released. The overall structure with a shovel-shaped nose and V-tail suggests a low RCS design. This airframe configuration was tested in past with the Tacit Blue experimental aircraft.
As reported by The Drive, OBSS is spearheaded by Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL) and is now jointly run by AFRL and GA-ASI after the selection process.
AFRL is working with partners on several autonomous platform projects, such as Skyborg and Loyal Wingman. Another significant player aside from General Atomics is Kratos, known for XQ-58A Valkyrie.
The design resembles one of the given configurations of GA-ASI’s Gambit family of UCAVs based on a common “core,” which includes avionics, landing gear, and a chassis to fit the airframes. The other configurations are two V-tail designs with different wing profiles and a flying wing. GA-ASI aims to lower production time and costs with increased commonality of components and “new manufacturing” methods with Gambit.
Other new projects of GA-ASI in the UAV field include Sparrowhawk and Eaglet recoverable UAVs for MQ-9 armed UAVs.
