General Atomics has released new images of the LongShot, a drone developed in partnership with DARPA and designed to launch air‑to‑air missiles from the air.
The platform can be launched by F-15 fighters, B-52 bombers and even C-17 transport aircraft, with the goal of extending the strike range of those platforms and reducing their exposure to threats. Although recoverable in tests and training, the company confirmed that LongShot was not conceived for reuse in combat scenarios.
The project, which began in 2020 with contracts awarded to General Atomics, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, is now solely under the responsibility of General Atomics. The company is already conducting wind‑tunnel tests, with the first flight scheduled for next year. The current design features an elongated fuselage, folding wings and an inverted V‑tail configuration, and can carry AIM‑120 missiles in an internal bay. In addition, the system will be able to receive data from external sensors, exploiting command networks known as “kill webs.”
The latest images show the drone integrated with F-15 fighters armed with AIM‑120 and AIM‑9X missiles, as well as bombers and transports adapted for multiple launches. According to General Atomics, the idea is to employ LongShots to rapidly saturate areas of the battlefield, create temporary air‑defense screens and extend the offensive reach of crewed platforms.
The Pentagon foresees flight tests in 2026, including live firings, which could mark a decisive step for the future of U.S. air superiority.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: X @GenAtomics_ASI | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
— General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) (@GenAtomics_ASI) September 22, 2025
