Armed Forces News

The Air Force completed the third test flight of the XQ-58A Valkyrie combat strike drone on Oct. 9 at Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. Though most of the aircraft’s systems functioned properly during the flight, it nonetheless was damaged while landing because of high surface winds and a malfunction of its provisional flight test recovery system. The Valkyrie did fly at higher altitudes and speeds than in its previous tests. The next test flight will not take place until an investigation of the landing mishap is concluded.

“We have gathered a great deal of valuable data from the flight and will learn more from this mishap,” said Maj. Gen. William Cooley, commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory.