XQ-58 Valkyrie by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: status and timeline

Milestones

Next · First USMC Valkyries delivered

Original XQ-58A first flightMar 2019Complete.
USMC selects Valkyrie for Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programJan 2026Complete.
Northrop–Kratos development contract awardedJan 2026Complete.
First USMC Valkyries deliveredTarget 2026Current milestone.
Northrop integration contract completionTarget Jan 2028Not yet reached.

Most important updates

Kratos on track to deliver 15–20 Valkyries to USMC in 2026Aug 2026
Northrop Grumman and Kratos awarded $231.5M contract to advance Valkyrie for USMCJan 2026
U.S. Marine Corps selects Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie as its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programJan 2026

Upcoming

2026First USMC Valkyries delivered (next)
2027Northrop–Kratos integration milestones
Jan 2028Northrop integration contract completion

Current obstacles

GPS and communications denialAn adversary with space capabilities or advanced jamming can blind the Valkyrie. True autonomy without signals is the key challenge.
Attrition and production scalingCombat will attrition dozens per month. Kratos must shift from prototype production to true high-volume manufacturing.

Physics limits

Fuel limits enduranceA turbine or jet engine burns fuel continuously. A Valkyrie can linger for hours, but long loiter (days) requires battery or an onboard nuclear reactor—both impractical.
Autonomous swarming is hardMultiple drones can't communicate via radio (jamming risk). Coordinated attack without chatter is an unsolved coordination problem.

How it works

4 parts

Launch

Catapult or rocket boost from aircraft

Launched from a crewed fighter or bomber, freeing bases from runway needs. Land-based rocket assist also works.

Flight

Autonomous navigation and loitering

GPS and terrain mapping guide it to target. Loiters and awaits attack signal. Satellite link updates weather and battlefield movement.

Weapons

Human-authorized, precision attack

The operator confirms target identity, receives video from the Valkyrie, and authorizes weapon release. This keeps a human in the legal and tactical loop.

Recovery

Autonomous return and landing

After the mission, the USMC variant (with landing gear) can land at forward airstrips without ground support. It refuels and repeats.

Spec sheet

Spec	XQ-58 Valkyrie
Combat range	3,000+ nautical miles^R (reported)
Internal + external payload	1,200 lb (600 lb + 600 lb)^R (reported)
Service ceiling	45,000 feet^R (reported)
Cruise speed	476 knots^R (reported)
Max takeoff weight	6,000 lb^R (reported)

^R reported by the company

Update log

3 updates

Aug 2026

Major: Kratos on track to deliver 15–20 Valkyries to USMC in 2026PressManufacturing

Jan 2026

Major: Northrop Grumman and Kratos awarded $231.5M contract to advance Valkyrie for USMCPressCommercial
Major: U.S. Marine Corps selects Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie as its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programPressCommercial

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

The team behind XQ-58 Valkyrie

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

XQ-58 Valkyrie, autonomous drones, loitering munitions

Kratos builds high-volume unmanned systems for defense, including the XQ-58 Valkyrie drone. Founded as Wireless Facilities Inc. in 1994, it shifted to defense under CEO Eric DeMarco in 2004 and is now headquartered in San Diego.

Founded 1994, pivoted to defense under CEO Eric DeMarco in 2004. Now a major supplier of autonomous aircraft for the U.S. military.
In 2026 Kratos ships 15–20 XQ-58 Valkyries to USMC. $231.5M Northrop contract extends through January 2028.
NASDAQ ticker KTOS trades ~13x revenue; 2026 guidance $1.75–$1.81B.

kratosdefense.com (opens kratosdefense.com)Company profile →

Founded: 199432 yrs
Headquarters: United States
Status: Public
Valuation: $9.3Bmarket capAug 2026
Works in: AviationMilitary drones & autonomy
Coverage: 1 program · 3 updateslatest 1 Aug 2026checked 10 Oct
Customers: U.S. Marine Corps (opens usmc.mil)
Partners: Northrop Grumman (opens news.usni.org)
People: Eric DeMarco (opens kratosdefense.com)CEO

Spec

XQ-58 Valkyrie

Combat range

3,000+ nautical miles^R (reported)

Internal + external payload

1,200 lb (600 lb + 600 lb)^R (reported)

Service ceiling

45,000 feet^R (reported)

Cruise speed

476 knots^R (reported)

Max takeoff weight

6,000 lb^R (reported)