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DARPA designates General Atomics LongShot as X-68A as program nears F‑15 air‑launch integration

DARPA has designated General Atomics' LongShot prototype the X‑68A after a series of technical milestones and is advancing toward flight tests in 2026. The uncrewed, missile‑carrying air‑launched vehicle is being integrated for F‑15 air‑launch to extend combat reach and keep crewed aircraft at safer standoff distances.

Discovered 2026-02-17T06:11:19.361596-08:00 | 2026-02-17T06:11:19.361596-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • DARPA’s X‑68A designation formalizes progress toward an air‑launched, missile‑carrying UAS that extends strike and air‑defense reach while enabling crewed platforms to operate from safer standoff distances.

  • Integration for F‑15 air‑launch and a push toward 2026 flight tests accelerate operationalisation of attritable uncrewed strike assets and will drive weapons‑integration, basing and mission‑planning decisions; General Atomics' recent autonomous UCAV work is relevant background (see GA MQ‑20 Avenger demonstration) (source:fd6933ee-f450-4526-b60a-2b3acdd01f21).

  • The X‑68A advances DARPA’s broader X‑plane portfolio and prototype pathway for novel uncrewed systems, underscoring sustained agency investment in rapid demonstrators and transition potential (source:5f6ab1f1-5e33-4f70-9fb4-780355d00dd1).

Reported By

flight.com.gr defencealternatives.com orbitaltoday.com defenseadvancement.com indiastrategic.in UASweekly
Sources Tracked
35
First Seen
2026-02-17T06:11:19.361596-08:00
Latest Update
2026-02-24T04:17:12.938460-08:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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