GAV.

This is coolbert:

Not a drone launching and recovering a drone.

From the Internet web site "The Aviationist" the X-61A Gremlin drone [GAV] the article by STEFANO D'URSO.

"DARPA’s X-61A Gremlin Air Vehicle (GAV) Recovered Inflight For The First Time"

X-61A Gremlin launched then recovered. Not expendable. Can be used for as many as two dozen missions?

"The successful test follows last year’s failed attempt when the drones moved within inches from recovery, however one X-61 was also lost due to an unexpected power system issue.

"The 24 hours goal is one of the requirements set by DARPA, as the Gremlins program envisions the launch of groups of UASs from existing large aircraft, such as bombers or transport aircraft, while they are outside the range of adversary defenses, and their airborne recovery by a C-130 so they could be reused within 24 hours. The GAVs can be equipped with a variety of sensors and other mission-specific payloads for coordinated, distributed capabilities, with an expected lifetime of about 20 uses that could provide significant cost advantages over expendable systems and an improved operational flexibility."

Almost any [?] large warplane in the current arsenal can be configured to launch and then recover the Gremlin. A lot of versality with QUICK turnaround time.

And NO this is not your XF-85 Goblin from the era of the Cold War.

coolbert.