Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie Completes Flight 3, Successfully Executes 100 Percent of Test Points
October 10 2019 - 2:21PM
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS), a
leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that
the Kratos / AFRL team has successfully completed Valkyrie Flight
3. During the 90 minute flight, the XQ-58A executed a perfect
launch and met 56 of 56 baseline test points, plus two additional
test points with excess fuel remaining after completion of the
mission. After successful completion of the flight, the
recovery parachute system worked flawlessly, and the aircraft
descended nominally under the canopy system. In final
descent, the prototype cushion system, which was employed for the
initial test series but is not intended for ultimate operational
use, suffered an anomaly resulting in the aircraft sustaining
damage upon touchdown. The XQ-58A Valkyrie, like all Kratos’
heritage drones and Kratos’ high performance jet target drones, are
designed to be quickly repaired and reused if damage is sustained
after performing operational missions. The Valkyrie has been
recovered, and the damage has been initially evaluated and
determined to be fully repairable. Kratos plans to address the
cushion system prior to Flight 4 and complete its test flight
series with the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) while continuing to
execute with its other Valkyrie customers.
Steve Fendley, President of Kratos
Unmanned Systems Division, said, “I am extremely proud of
the team and the level of success we have achieved with the entire
Valkyrie system. We have now successfully completed three
virtually flawless flights and about 270 minutes of flight time
performed.
“Based on the flights performed to date and the
resulting data generated, we do not need to revise any of the
airborne control systems, which is amazing for any newly developed
system, but especially so for UAS. We believe that our
customer set is extremely pleased with the XQ-58A’s system
performance to date. The reliability of the cushion system is
an area we must improve, and we’ll be working with our
subcontractor to perfect the system before Flight 4. However, this
is specifically why flight test series are performed: to address
any issues ahead of full operational capability being achieved and
ensure our Armed Forces are using the most reliable technologies
available.”
Eric DeMarco, President & CEO of Kratos,
said, “All of Kratos is extremely proud of our partnership
with the Air Force Research Lab and the incredible progress that
the team is making with the XQ-58A Valkyrie. In addition to
the XQ-58A which successfully completed this most recent mission,
Kratos has two additional Company owned Valkyries which
missionization and flight regimes we are coordinating with our
customers. From day one our intent has been to have multiple
aircraft ready to be able to support multiple customers / program
needs and ensure aircraft availability is not an issue.”
About Kratos Defense & Security
SolutionsKratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.
(NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable
technology, platforms and systems for United States National
Security related customers, allies and commercial enterprises.
Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technology for these
industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial
and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research
and streamlined development processes. Kratos specializes in
unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare,
microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems,
training, combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo
fan engine development. For more information go to
www.KratosDefense.com.
Notice Regarding Forward-Looking
StatementsCertain statements in this press release may
constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current
beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos
and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking
statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of
the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to
update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes
that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements
are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially
from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking
statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in
these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the
business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December
30, 2018, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other
filings made with the SEC by Kratos.
Press Contact:Yolanda
White858-812-7302 Direct
Investor
Information:877-934-4687investor@kratosdefense.com
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