Northrop Grumman and Kratos Collaborate on Autonomous Drones for Marine Corps
In a significant advancement for military technology, Northrop Grumman and Kratos Defense and Security Solutions have announced a partnership to develop autonomous drone wingmen for the U.S. Marine Corps.
The collaboration centers on Kratos’ Valkyrie drone, an autonomous system set to operate alongside crewed fighters in environments of high threat. The initiative is part of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft program, known as MUX TACAIR.
Krys Moen, Northrop’s vice president for advanced mission capabilities, shared insights on the contract, which is an other transaction agreement initially valued at $231.5 million for a 24-month period.
“Northrop Gruman remains at the forefront of advanced sensing capabilities, delivering innovative solutions that meet the needs of the warfighter with unmatched speed and reliability,” Moen expressed in a joint statement. “This enhanced capability set ensures optimal performance for both crewed and uncrewed platforms.”
The Valkyrie drone, officially designated as the XQ-58, has been a focus of testing by the U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps, particularly under the Air Force’s Skyborg program. This program has played a pivotal role in advancing autonomous drones known as collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs).
CCAs are designed to enhance the reach and effectiveness of crewed fighters by operating with minimal pilot intervention. Their roles include strike missions, electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and acting as decoys.
The Air Force has prioritized integrating CCAs such as the Valkyrie with existing and next-generation fighters like the F-35. Following suit, the Navy and Marine Corps have initiated their own CCA programs.
Having been designated a program of record by the Marine Corps in 2025, the Valkyrie drone is set to become the Corps’ inaugural CCA. Kratos’ CEO, Eric DeMarco, revealed new Valkyrie variants would be produced for the Marine Corps, marking a significant milestone.
The Valkyrie’s modular design allows it to undertake diverse missions with customizable payloads. It also features conventional takeoff and landing capabilities, enhancing its operational flexibility.
“The integration of the Kratos Valkyrie aircraft system configured with the world’s best multifunction mission systems from Northrop Grumman results in a high capability CCA at a price point that enables the uncrewed systems to be deployed in mass with crewed aircraft,” stated Steve Fendley, president of Kratos’ unmanned systems division.
Northrop Grumman will equip the Valkyrie with an advanced mission kit, incorporating sensors and software-defined technologies. These systems will allow the Valkyrie to engage in kinetic and nonkinetic actions, adapting to various combat scenarios.
The Valkyrie will utilize Northrop’s Prism, an open architecture autonomy software package, further enhancing its capabilities.
This development follows Northrop Grumman’s recent strides in the CCA arena, with the Air Force designating their Talon drone as a strong contender for inclusion in its CCA program last December.
Kratos’ role in the autonomous drone sector has bolstered its defense revenues, earning it a spot at 91st on the Defense News Top 100 list last year, with a defense revenue of $988.7 million.
