Military researchers reach milestone in recovering Gremlins unmanned aircraft in bid for air superiority

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has hit a milestone in its Gremlins program to develop an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to overwhelm and neutralize enemy forces. 1945 reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

3 Jan. 2022 -- During a DARPA-led test in 2021 one of the Gremlins drones was recovered in flight by a C-130 aircraft. If the Gremlins drones can perform the mission the U.S. military has in mind, Gremlins might revolutionize warfare, helping the U.S. ensure air superiority in a war with sophisticated adversary like China or Russia.

An October test began with two X-61 Gremlins flying in formation. The Gremlin slowly approached the C-130 from below -- like an F-22 Raptor fighter jet would approach a KC-135 aerial tanker -- and hooked itself onto a tangling cable.

The drone was then reeled inside the C-130, marking the first time one has been successfully retrieved in flight. After inspecting the recovered Gremlin, the testers sent it on another mission within 24 hours.

Related: DARPA moves forward on plan to develop swarms of cooperating drones

Related: Gremlin drone swarms to overwhelm enemy defenses with reconnaissance and electronic warfare UAVs

Related: Milpower Source to provide power electronics for DARPA Gremlins swarming drones project

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics