The new, air-launched air-to-air drones can revolutionize air combat.

X-68 “Longshot”

X-68 “Longshot” air-combat drones will enhance the F-15 and all other fighters and aircraft's combat capabilities. The small-sized drones with air-combat capacity are the new variants of the “Loyal Wingman” drones. Those drones could be released when the strike unit is under threat. And those drones can destroy incoming jet fighters. Those drones can also be equipped with kamikaze bodies. And the air-to-air, anti-radiation, or air-to-ground missiles. And it’s possible. That's quite soon.  Cruise missiles get their air-to-air. And. Anti-radiation sub-missiles. Which helps. Them. To accomplish their missions. 

This kind of tool is one of the things that can revolutionize air combat. The idea of the parasite jet fighter or unmanned aerial vehicle that the bomber can carry near its target. Launching that system against defending jet fighters or anti-aircraft systems is not a new idea. In 1971, the Teledyne Ryan BQM-34 “Firebee” drone launched the AGM-65 “Maverick” missile. 

BQM-34 “Firebee” drone with AGM-65

And that was the first time an unmanned vehicle launched a guided weapon from the air. The idea was to use the BQM-34 “Firebee” drone as the remotely-controlled test bed. But that drone. It could also make air strikes. Those “Firebee” drones can also be dropped from the DC-130, the modified C-130 cargo planes, and the B-52 bombers. Those drones could make. Reconnaissance missions. Over the enemy area. There is also a possibility of using the Firebee-type drones as a parasite fighter against incoming jet fighters. Those drones can also operate with stealth fighters. The drone will pull enemy fire to it. If the drone is equipped with anti-radiation ability, it can cause destruction for ground radars. If. It can shoot its anti-radiation missiles against the radar. 

Geran-3 drone

Even if “Firebee” is an old-timer veteran, that system was a pathfinder for more advanced and sophisticated AI-controlled systems. Like. MQ-1 “Predator” and MQ-9 “Reaper” drones. The problem with those drones is that they are quite slow. But. The bomber or jet fighter can send a supersonic stealth drone for attack against critical targets in the air and on the ground.  Fast and effective long-range drones with artificial intelligence can be used against. Things. Like command posts and AWACS platforms. The long-range, small drone-like Geran-type system could destroy the AWACS platform. Even if. They are airborne. 

The Geran-3 type drones with highly advanced AI and sub-missiles. They can also be dangerous. For helicopters and aircraft. Those who defend their targets. The fast-flying drone that shoots anti-radiation missiles can force. To shut down radars. This can cause a destructive situation. Because if those drones can make supersonic attacks, the defense against them is very hard, if the defender cannot use radars. The long-range, jet-powered drone. That can use an afterburner and operate. In supersonic and subsonic speeds. Makes it possible to destroy. Also, airborne targets. 

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2026/u-s-darpa-advances-x-68a-longshot-toward-first-flight-to-extend-air-to-air-missile-range

https://defensemirror.com/news/39493/Russia_s_Geran_3_Jet_Powered_Kamikaze_Drone_Ready_for_Operations

https://medium.com/war-is-boring/watch-the-u-s-air-forces-first-armed-drone-drop-bombs-and-fire-missiles-96dd169cbabd

https://www.military.com/defensetech/2012/03/23/retro-vid-drones-shooting-air-to-ground-missiles-in-the-70s

 https://www.twz.com/news-features/x-68a-longshot-air-to-air-missile-carrying-drone-moves-closer-to-f-15-launch

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Firebee

https://medium.com/@batrobin/the-new-air-launched-air-to-air-drones-can-revolutionize-air-combat-1826903ffc3f