collaborative combat aircraft Archives

A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, conducts its second test flight with two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to 33rd Fighter Wing, 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell)

Marine Corps charts path for future aviation ops led by drones

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…

6 days ago By Mikayla Easley

Air Force wants almost $1B to buy first CCA drones in 2027

If approved by lawmakers, the Air Force's budget request would kick off procurement of CCA Increment 1.

Apr 6, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

A YFQ-44A, part of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, undergoes an undated captive carry test at a California test location. This test phase uses inert munitions to methodically validate weapons integration, structural performance and safety, ensuring the platform can safely carry external stores. (Courtesy Air Force photo)

Air Force begins adding weapons to CCA drone flight tests

The service recently started flying Anduril's YFQ-44A prototype with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles attached to it.

Feb 24, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

YFQ-42 aircraft sit on the flightline at a California test location as part of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft flight test campaign. (Courtesy Air Force photo)

Air Force begins testing mission autonomy package for CCA prototypes

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.

Feb 12, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

A YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft takes off during flight testing at a California test location. (Courtesy photo)

Marine Corps brings General Atomics into CCA program for autonomy development

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.

Feb 10, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

An XQ-58A Valkyrie flies next to an F-35. (Marine Corps photo)

Marine Corps picks Northrop Grumman, Kratos team to build CCA drones

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…

Jan 8, 2026 By Mikayla Easley

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, left, swears in Gen. Ken Wilsbach as the new Chief of Staff of the Air Force at the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, Nov. 3, 2025. Mrs. Cindy Wilsbach joined her husband during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stuart Bright)

Gen. Wilsbach sworn in as Air Force chief, pledges to advance modernization and readiness

“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.

Nov 5, 2025 By Mikayla Easley

A YFQ-44 Collaborative Combat Aircraft takes off during flight testing at a California test location. (Courtesy photo)

Anduril conducts first flight test of Air Force CCA drone prototype

Both Anduril and General Atomics have now moved into the live flight test stage of the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

Oct 31, 2025 By Mikayla Easley

Shield AI reveals VTOL autonomous fighter jet dubbed X-BAT

The company expects to conduct first vertical-take-off-and-landing (VTOL) flight tests of X-BAT sometime next year.

Oct 22, 2025 By Mikayla Easley

Artists rendering of the Boeing Collaborative Transformational Rotorcraft (Credit: Boeing)

The Army wants its own fleet of loyal wingman drones

“As we go forward, we’re watching closely in our experimentation to develop a full requirement [and] potentially deliver a capability over the next couple of years," said…

Oct 20, 2025 By Mikayla Easley