“Skyward Innovation: GA-ASI Launches Inaugural Flight of the XQ-67A OBSS”
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully executed the inaugural flight of the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) on February 28, 2024. The OBSS initiative is a project of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), which selected GA-ASI in 2021 to conceptualize, construct, and operate this innovative aircraft.
With the launch of the AFRL-sponsored XQ-67A, GA-ASI has confirmed the “genus/species” framework initially developed in collaboration with AFRL as part of the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing (LCAAPS) initiative, aimed at designing various aircraft models from a unified core structure.
Within the LCAAPS framework, AFRL and GA-ASI investigated the creation of a chassis, referred to as a “genus”, serving as the primary core architecture from which various “species” of aircraft can be manufactured.
“This offers an innovative procurement method for military aviation that facilitates accelerated development, reduced expenses, and enhanced opportunities for regular technology updates,” stated Trenton White, OBSS Program Manager and aerospace engineer at AFRL’s Aerospace Systems Directorate. “The XQ-67A is the initial “species” to be conceived and developed from this integrated platform. The flight demonstration of this system marks a significant milestone towards demonstrating the capability to generate cost-effective combat readiness.”
“OBSS represents the first aircraft category constructed and flown utilizing a standardized core chassis fashioned by GA-ASI that fosters synergy across various vehicle types,” remarked GA-ASI Vice President of Advanced Programs, Michael Atwood.
