U.S. Air Force Advances CCA Program, Selects General Atomics YFQ-42A and Anduril YFQ-44A Fury
The U.S. Air Force is pressing ahead with its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, selecting two competing designs — the General Atomics YFQ-42A and the Anduril YFQ-44A Fury — for continued development and production preparation. Both aircraft are designed to serve as semi-autonomous wingmen alongside crewed fighters, performing reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and support missions, with initial procurement potentially reaching hundreds of aircraft.
Highlights
- The U.S. Air Force selected two CCA designs — the General Atomics YFQ-42A and the Anduril YFQ-44A Fury — for continued development and production readiness.
- Both aircraft are classified as semi-autonomous wingmen designed for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and support missions alongside crewed fighters.
- Initial U.S. Air Force procurement is estimated at over one hundred to several hundred aircraft, with the exact number still to be finalized.
- The CCA program marks a strategic shift in military drone doctrine, moving from remote-controlled operation toward higher-level autonomous combat capability.
U.S. Air Force Formally Advances CCA Program with Two Competing Designs Selected
The U.S. Air Force is actively developing its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which aims to field unmanned systems capable of operating alongside crewed fighters within the same aerial combat formation.
Two Designs Selected for Advanced Development
At the current stage of the program, two competing designs have been selected to proceed into continued development and production readiness:
- General Atomics YFQ-42A
- Anduril YFQ-44A Fury
Both aircraft are positioned as semi-autonomous wingmen, designed for reconnaissance missions, electronic warfare, and support roles for crewed aircraft, with the potential to carry weapons depending on mission requirements.
Procurement Scale Expected to Reach Hundreds of Aircraft
Under preliminary acquisition plans, the U.S. Air Force's early production procurement is estimated to range from over one hundred to several hundred aircraft, though the exact quantity has not yet been finalized.
Strategic Significance of the CCA Program
The CCA program is regarded as a cornerstone of the U.S. Air Force's future air combat capability. By enabling unmanned aircraft to operate in concert with crewed fighters, the program is expected to significantly enhance overall combat effectiveness while reducing risk to pilots. The initiative also marks a pivotal milestone in the evolution of military drones — transitioning from traditional remote-controlled operations toward a higher degree of autonomous combat capability.
Source: U.S. Air Force
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