Northrop Grumman is advancing its Lumberjack loitering munition for air-launch compatibility with platforms such as the Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie drone. Since its unveiling in April 2025 at the Modern Day Marine conference, Lumberjack, a jet-powered, one-way attack drone weighing 136-181 kg with a range exceeding 200 nautical miles, has undergone ground-launch tests including a pneumatic “potato gun” style launcher and electric rail systems on ships. Designed with a modular payload bay, it can carry kinetic submunitions like the Hatchet miniature glide bomb, electronic warfare packages, or ISR sensors. The system features Palantir AI integration and commercial components for scalable production. Air-launch flight testing is planned for 2026 to extend reach in contested environments. The XQ-58 Valkyrie, a stealthy uncrewed aircraft, is a primary candidate for air-launch deployment, among other manned and unmanned platforms. Lumberjack’s modularity allows it to loiter for hours or strike targets precisely, aiming for low cost-per-effect and operational flexibility in high-threat areas.