General Atomics Aeronautical’s Gambit Series lets U.S. forces move fast and move first
These new aircraft represent the cusp of a new generation in air combat and airpower that is significant to the 21st century.
Details of the AFRL’s Off-Board Sensing Station program remain highly classified, though the effort is expected to field an unmanned aircraft that can fly ahead of fighters and relay targeting information and other threat data back.
David Alexander, president of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, told Breaking Defense several options could power the company's Gambit drone offering, and that the Air Force has been more forthcoming with cost expectations behind closed doors.
A new request for information released by the Air Force shows that future Collaborative Combat Aircraft engines could provide considerable capability, according to an expert, but could also face drawbacks in cost and operations.
Michigan’s defense ecosystem and expertise makes it a special asset for production.
AFRL is "projecting first flight in first half of FY24 [fiscal 2024]," Trenton White, OBSS program manager, told Breaking Defense.