Collaborative Combat Aircraft

Anduril's YFQ-44A Fury CCA has conducted flight tests alongside F-35 fighters, marking a step towards crewed-uncrewed teaming demonstrations. The company is working towards integrating the Fury CCA with fifth-gen fighters. This development showcases the potential for unmanned systems to operate alongside advanced manned aircraft.

The Air Force plans to field 500 CCA drones by 2032, with General Atomics' platform designated as the FQ-42A Vengeance and Anduril's as the FQ-44A Fury. This announcement was made by SECAF Troy Meink on Monday.

The US Air Force has announced the development of new stealth drones, including the Vectis and FQ-42 Vengeance. The Air Force plans to field at least 500 semi-autonomous fighter drones by 2032. Additionally, the Space Force has confirmed the deployment of space control weapons on orbit.

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works is developing the Vectis Collaborative Combat Aircraft, a stealthy and survivable drone designed for contested operating environments. The company plans to build four more Vectis drones, with the first expected to fly by the end of 2027. The Vectis features an exotic 'submerged' air inlet and a tailless design that prioritizes survivability.

Lockheed Martin's Vectis stealth combat drone has reached a new development milestone, designed to operate alongside F-22 and F-35 fighters. The programme is part of Skunk Works, Lockheed Martin's advanced development division.

Lockheed Martin is expanding its secretive Vectis drone program, with plans to build four more aircraft, doubling down on the project. The company's Skunk Works division is developing the Group 5 Collaborative Combat Aircraft, which is designed to deliver autonomous lethality, survivability, and operational flexibility. A full-scale model of the autonomous fighter will be exhibited at the annual Air & Space Forces conference.

DARPA is preparing to address the next challenge in CCA autonomy, with AI-enabled air combat nearing operational reality. The effort aims to advance autonomous systems in air combat, bringing significant changes to the future of warfare.

The US Navy is developing a carrier-capable autonomous combat aircraft to enhance its crewed fighters' reach and firepower. The Navy has issued a request for information (RFI) for a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) to complement its F/A-18E/F and F-35C fighters.

The Navy has issued a request for information for the first increment of CCA drones, seeking a carrier-capable drone that can be demonstrated and certified within three years. The drone is expected to meet specific requirements outlined in the request. The Navy's search for CCA drones marks a significant step in its efforts to integrate unmanned systems into its operations.

The US Navy is looking for a new standoff aerial torpedo for carrier aircraft. The request for information was submitted by Naval Air Systems Command.

BAE Systems' Brontanax uncrewed aircraft will operate alongside the Eurofighter Typhoon to extend the reach of British combat air operations. It will add electronic warfare, precision strike, and combat mass to UK Typhoon operations.

The Air Force hosted a demonstration of Command and Control Enclave (C2E) prototypes at the 178th Wing in Ohio. Five vendors participated in the test, which aimed to evaluate the prototypes' performance in an expeditionary combat situation. The goal is to accelerate the development of next-generation capabilities.

The Air Force is refining the specifications for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, with production underway for Increment 1. This program aims to develop loyal wingmen, which are unmanned aircraft that can accompany and support manned fighter jets in combat.

Saab has released a concept for a Collaborative Combat Aircraft, an unmanned fighter jet designed to fly alongside crewed jets. The aircraft features a delta-wing design and a single jet engine. The concept is for a future unmanned fighter jet that can collaborate with manned aircraft.

Lockheed Martin is developing a new generation of missile defense systems and advancing a collaborative combat aircraft that can operate with the F-35. The company is investing in manufacturing capacity and crewed-uncrewed teaming technologies.

The U.S. Navy is investing $50 million in Shield AI's X-BAT aircraft, a runway-independent maritime strike drone, as part of the Runway Independent Maritime Expeditionary Strike program. The funding will help scale unmanned maritime strike capabilities. The Air Force is not investing in the project at this time.

The Air Force's Experimental Operations Unit has hosted a change of command ceremony, marking the maturation of the CCA concept. The unit has been conducting exercises to simulate high-tempo combat operations, generating multiple sorties in a single day. This development indicates the CCA concept is becoming entrenched in the Air Force's structure.

Kratos' Valkyrie aircraft flew alongside F-35s and an F/A-18 in an electronic warfare test, demonstrating beyond line of sight control. The test was conducted in Southern California and involved a missionized U.S. Marine Corps Valkyrie Collaborative Combat Aircraft. The exercise showcased the aircraft's capabilities in contested operations.

The Air Force is testing prototypes of the Command and Control Enclave (C2E) program, a ground control system for robotic wingman platforms. The C2E program is a new effort under development for the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.

The US Air Force is testing a prototype system to ground control Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs). The system aims to enhance the control and operation of CCAs. This development is part of the Air Force's efforts to modernize its capabilities.

Germany is considering the Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat to accelerate its combat drone capability. The move is part of a global trend of air forces developing Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

Rolls-Royce anticipates growth in the market for autonomous propulsion due to government investment in unmanned military aircraft. The company sees opportunities in UK spending and projects like the MQ-25A and German CCA engine. Autonomous propulsion is expected to expand in the unmanned military aircraft market.

The USAF is developing future CCA drones that can autonomously use onboard sensor data to engage aerial threats. The X-62A drone has successfully used its AI brain and infrared search and track pod to intercept an enemy T-38. This technology enables the drone to make decisions without human intervention, enhancing its combat capabilities.

The X-62A, equipped with an infrared search and track pod, used its AI capabilities to autonomously intercept a T-38. This technology is being developed for future USAF CCA drones, which will use onboard sensor data to engage aerial threats.