One of the key aspects of sixth-generation fighter aircraft is the integration of manned and unmanned platforms capable of operating and adapting to highly contested operational environments. In light of this undeniable reality, and in parallel with the development and future production of its Boeing F-47 fighter, the U.S. Air Force has been advancing its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Program, which reached a new milestone on October 31 with the completion of the first test flight of the YFQ-44A drone.
Developed by Anduril Industries, the YFQ-44A “Fury” is one of two autonomous unmanned combat aircraft currently being evaluated by the U.S. Air Force under Phase I of the CCA program, also referred to as Increment I. The other aircraft corresponds to General Atomics’ YFQ-42A design, which began its flight testing campaign at the end of August.
Although the first official flight of Anduril’s unmanned aircraft for the CCA took place yesterday in Victorville, California, accompanied by an L-29 Delfín as a chase aircraft, the origins of the Fury can be traced back to earlier design and development efforts by the company. More specifically, it evolved from concepts for the development of an aggressor aircraft by Blue Force Technologies, a company acquired by Anduril in 2023.
In a recent official statement, Anduril shared details about the development process and the efforts made in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force to reach and initiate the flight testing phase in record time: from the presentation of the initial design to the first takeoff, only 556 days elapsed—“faster than any major fighter program in recent history,” the company emphasized.
The successful completion of the YFQ-44A’s maiden flight and its significance for the CCA Program were also officially highlighted by the U.S. Air Force. Troy E. Meink, Secretary of the Air Force, stated that Fury’s flight “…provides us with the solid data we need to define requirements, reduce risk, and ensure that the CCA program delivers combat capability at a pace and scale that keeps us ahead…” in the technological race with potential adversaries.
Within the CCA framework, large-scale production capabilities are also being assessed. Although the U.S. Air Force has not provided a concrete figure, it aims to eventually acquire between one hundred and one hundred fifty collaborative combat drones once a winner is selected in this phase.
However, several reports indicate that in the coming months another stage—designated Increment II—could be launched, which would feature different requirements from the previous phase. This would open the door for other companies to participate with their proposals, such as Lockheed Martin, which recently unveiled its new Vectis drone concept, and Northrop Grumman, which is reportedly seeking to join the program through its Project Lotus. The phase might even allow foreign companies to participate, as evidenced by the recent Letter of Intent signed by Dutch authorities to take part in the CCA initiative.
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