Northrop Grumman takes prime role on US Marine’s urgent Kratos XQ-58 Valkerie CCA
January 9, 2026
AGN reported in August 2025 that the US Marine Corps had selected the Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie as the basis for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Now, Kratos has reported that Northrop Grumman is to be the prime contractor installing the key enabling systems on the autonomous combat aircraft.
Northrop Grumman selected as prime Marine CCA contractor
The Marine Corps is progressing with plans to develop its own Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Northrop Grumman announced it has been awarded the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft (MUX TACAIR) CCA. The programme is to support rapid prototyping and development.
Breaking Defense reported that the deal is valued at around $231.5 million and will last 24 months.
The award combines Northrop Grumman’s autonomous capabilities with the Kratos Valkyrie drone already used for testing and training by the US Air Force. Northrop Grumman will supply the mission kit and open architecture autonomy software (Prism).
Kratos says the CCA will “work alongside crewed fighters to provide air dominance in high-threat environments.” Northrop has already been conducting flight testing with Prism using the Model 437 Vanguard built by its Scaled Composites subsidiary.
Kratos’ UAVs provide CONOPS/CONEMPS options unavailable from any other competitor in the market.
— Kratos (@KratosDefense) December 12, 2025
Learn more https://t.co/b8bsScwAsp#KratosDefense #MilitaryDefense #UAV #Attritable #ReadinessDelivered pic.twitter.com/kwoYhEpJZE
Steve Fendley, president of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, stated, “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.”
Marine Corps’ future loyal wingman drone
With the Marines set to retire the last of its McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier IIs and gradually replace its McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets, these will mostly be paired with its growing fleets of F-35B and F-35C fighter jets.
It is unclear how many CCA’s the Marine Corps plans to acquire and when they will enter service, although the Marine Corps has stated that it wants the first prototype by the end of 2026.
Northrop’s press release has also shown the derivative Valkyrie with a built-in landing gear. The Valkyrie was originally designed to be runway independent, being rail-launched and then recovered by parachute.
Kratos is leading the way in the development of reusable / attritable Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for use in Multi Mission operations teamed with Manned aircraft and/or other CCAs in contested environments. Learn more… pic.twitter.com/PNvGqBOpJX
— Kratos (@KratosDefense) November 19, 2025
According to reporting by The War Zone, Kratos has also been working to develop Ragnarok. This miniature cruise missile will fit in the XQ-58’s internal bay, as well as be carried externally. Renderings have also been released showing the drone carrying AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles under its wings.
Get the latest aerospace defence news here on AGN.
More opportunities for Kratos and its advanced drones
While the Air Force appears to be more interested in acquiring higher-end CCAs, starting with General Atomics’ YFQ-42 and Anduril’s YFQ-44, Kratos XQ-58 has found other buyers for its rail-launched Valkyrie.
The US Air Force has been using Valkyries to develop the CCA doctrine and to establish requirements since 2019. The Marines have three in use for training and experimentation.
Kratos is also looking at potential buyers in Europe and has partnered with Airbus to build loyal wingman drones for the German Air Force based on the XQ-58.
Seperately, Kratos signed an agreement with Taiwan to build a one-way attack drone based on its jet-powered MQM-178 Firejet target drone.
The US Navy has just begun its CCA programme, although it appears the service may look for a lower-end and more expendable CCA to fill its needs.
Featured Image: US Marine Corps
