Kratos unveils Clone Ranger drone with in-flight refueling

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Kratos unveils Clone Ranger drone with in-flight refueling
Kratos unveils Clone Ranger drone with in-flight refueling (X @AdithyaKM_)

The defense company Kratos is developing a radically designed combat drone called the “Clone Ranger”.

Designed to be modular, low-cost, and easy to produce, this unmanned aerial vehicle stands out for its unique ability to refuel other drones in mid-air, a feature considered “revolutionary.” The aircraft, currently in the conceptual phase, is designed to operate from short runways of around 1,200 meters and will have a long range, between 3,500 and 4,000 km.

The Clone Ranger’s design is optimized for stealth and versatility. Its structure, resembling a “pickle fork,” features a wide central fuselage that houses fuel and two large internal bays for munitions. The aircraft can carry a diverse array of weapons, including air-to-air missiles and precision bombs, as well as multi-purpose sensors for surveillance and targeting.

Its buddy refueling capability allows for extended range and mission duration, reducing reliance on traditional tanker aircraft and enabling more distributed and complex operations to confuse adversaries.

This development comes as the United States Air Force and other military branches seek to acquire “affordable mass” collaborative aircraft (CCA) for future high-risk scenarios. The Clone Ranger, with its range of capabilities and emphasis on autonomy and operation from limited infrastructure, seems to align perfectly with this strategy, potentially becoming a candidate for future phases of the program aimed at saturating the battlefield with unmanned systems.

Source: The War Zone | Photo: X @AdithyaKM_ | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team

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