The Air Force has also selected Anduril, Shield AI and Collins Aerospace to compete for the contract to serve as CCA Increment 1’s primary mission autonomy software provider.
The Marine Corps is targeting 2029 to begin operational testing of its MUX TACAIR drone, while simultaneously exploring how exquisite unmanned systems can be used for other missions.
If approved by lawmakers, the Air Force’s budget request would kick off procurement of CCA Increment 1.
The service recently started flying Anduril’s YFQ-44A prototype with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles attached to it.
General Atomics and Anduril are working with Collins Aerospace and Shield AI, respectively, to integrate mission autonomy software onto their CCA prototypes and conduct semi-autonomous flights.
The Marines will use General Atomics’ YFQ-42A aircraft to evaluate how the service’s future loyal wingman drones will integrate with and fly alongside crewed fighter jets.
Northrop Grumman and Kratos have received a $231.5 million deal to deliver the Marine Corps’ first loyal wingman drone under the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft program.
Experts told DefenseScoop that readiness gaps are fueled by CMMC’s controversial history, misconceptions of what the rule change means and challenges in proving compliance.
“We must guarantee that tomorrow’s Airmen inherit an Air Force that can win,” Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach wrote in his first letter to the force.
Both Anduril and General Atomics have now moved into the live flight test stage of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
