Successful First Flight of Off-Board Sensing Station

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has flown the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) for the first time on Feb. 28, 2024. 

OBSS is an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) program and GA-ASI was selected in 2021 to design, build and fly the new aircraft.

With flight of the AFRL-funded XQ-67A, GA-ASI has validated the “genus/species” concept first developed with AFRL as part of the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing (LCAAPS) program focused on building several aircraft variants from a common core chassis.

Under LCAAPS, AFRL and GA-ASI explored the development of a chassis, termed a “genus”, as the foundational core architecture from which several “species” of aircraft can be built.

Trenton White, OBSS Program Manager and aerospace engineer in AFRL’s Aerospace Systems Directorate, said; “This provides an alternative acquisition approach for military aircraft that enables faster development, lower costs and more opportunities for frequent technology refresh. 

“XQ-67A is the first ‘species’ to be designed and built from this shared platform. Flight demonstration of this system is a major first step toward showing the ability to produce affordable combat mass.”

GA-ASI Vice President of Advanced Programs Michael Atwood said; “OBSS is the first aircraft type built and flown using a common core chassis developed by GA-ASI that promotes commonality across multiple vehicle types.”