The US Marine Corps has formally entered the loyal wingman arena, selecting Northrop Grumman and Kratos to develop its first Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The program leverages the XQ-58 Valkyrie airframe, a low-observable platform featuring modular payload bays and conventional takeoff and landing capability. Northrop’s Advanced Mission Kit will provide sensors and software-defined mission systems, enabling both kinetic and non-kinetic combat effects. The initiative reflects the Marines’ push toward manned-unmanned teaming and distributed air operations.
