Kratos Unveils XQ-58A Valkyrie Variant with Landing Gear for CCA Competitions

Kratos Defense has officially unveiled a new variant of its XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aircraft, now equipped with conventional landing gear. The image of this updated drone was shared publicly for the first time on April 15, 2025, signaling Kratos’ serious intent to compete in the U.S. military’s growing Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programs.

The inclusion of landing gear in the Valkyrie marks a major shift in its operational design. Previously, the XQ-58A relied on rocket-assisted launches and parachute recoveries, making it more suitable for remote or improvised deployment. With the addition of conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) capability, the aircraft can now operate from standard runways like traditional fighter jets. This gives it a significant boost in flexibility and makes it more compatible with U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps operations.

Kratos had first announced this CTOL variant back in August 2024. Its formal debut now indicates that the company is positioning itself strongly for upcoming CCA program phases. The U.S. Air Force has already chosen the General Atomics YFQ-42A and Anduril YFQ-44A for the first round of the CCA program (Increment 1). However, more opportunities are expected in the near future with the upcoming Increment 2 and other related competitions.

In parallel, Kratos also seems to be keeping a close eye on the U.S. Marine Corps’ MUX-TacAir program. This effort is centered on developing unmanned tactical aircraft that can support Marine operations in coordination with manned jets like the F-35B. The Marine Corps is particularly interested in CCAs that can perform both surveillance and strike missions while operating from austere locations, which aligns with the Valkyrie's evolving capabilities.

By adapting the Valkyrie for runway-based operations, Kratos is not only broadening the drone’s mission profile but also increasing its appeal to a wider range of military users. The transformation from a launch-and-recover drone to a CTOL-capable platform makes it a stronger contender in the competitive landscape of future autonomous air combat systems.