The General Atomics X-68A LongShot is an uncrewed, air-launched aircraft developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Its premise is a vehicle released from a larger aircraft that flies ahead of follow-on forces and engages enemy targets with its own air-to-air missiles, which lets crewed fighters stay farther from the front lines. The concept is meant to suit fighters, bombers or a palletized launch from mobility aircraft. The United States Air Force gave it the experimental designation X-68A in February 2026, making it the company's second X-plane after the XQ-67A. By that date it had completed full-scale wind tunnel tests and trials of its parachute recovery and weapons-release systems, and a flight test campaign from an F-15 was planned as early as the end of 2026.
Facts
SignificanceAn uninhabited aircraft launched from a larger aircraft that flies ahead of follow-on forces and engages enemy targets with its own air-to-air missiles. 2 Comparison
Body StyleAircraft (no road body style) 1 Connections
Exemplifies
Source Air Force Awards DARPA/GA-ASI LongShot New Designation: X-68A (GA-ASI)
Of Make
Source Air Force Awards DARPA/GA-ASI LongShot New Designation: X-68A (GA-ASI)
In the Other Atlases
Manufactured By
Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.
Source Air Force Awards DARPA/GA-ASI LongShot New Designation: X-68A (GA-ASI)Lead, makerQuote, Lead, maker
LongShot, a collaborative effort by DARPA and GA-ASI, is expected to fundamentally change air combat
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Source Air Force Awards DARPA/GA-ASI LongShot New Designation: X-68A (GA-ASI)Lead, designationQuote, Lead, designation
the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) uncrewed air superiority system known as LongShot has received U.S. Air Force designation X-68A
Sources
1. Air Force Awards DARPA/GA-ASI LongShot New Designation: X-68A (GA-ASI)
Lead, kind of aircraft
an uncrewed aircraft that flies from larger aircraft and engages hostile targets with its own air-to-air missiles
Flight test plan
The program is building toward a flight test campaign as early as the end of this year.
Lead, maker
LongShot, a collaborative effort by DARPA and GA-ASI, is expected to fundamentally change air combat
Lead, designation
the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) uncrewed air superiority system known as LongShot has received U.S. Air Force designation X-68A
View the Source2. DARPA: Not such a long shot
DARPAProgram premiseQuote, Program premise
an uninhabited aircraft that can be launched from a larger aircraft, fly ahead of follow-on forces, and engage enemy targets with its own air-to-air missiles
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