US Air Force has begun testing its first unmanned fighter jets to improve the F-22 and F-35’s combat effectiveness

On May 1, 2025, the US Air Force commenced ground testing for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, marking a significant milestone in its initiative to integrate autonomous systems into future combat operations. This program is a crucial element of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) strategy and has now entered the ground validation phase with its two initial production-representative test vehicles: the YFQ-42A from General Atomics and the YFQ-44A from Anduril Industries.

Concurrently, the Air Force has identified Beale Air Force Base in California as the preferred site for the inaugural Aircraft Readiness Unit (ARU) dedicated to the CCA fleet. The ground testing will evaluate propulsion, avionics, autonomy integration, and control systems for both the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A platforms.

These assessments aim to reduce risks prior to the commencement of flight testing later in 2025 and will inform future system architecture and performance standards. Official sources indicate that the aircraft will enhance future missions by working alongside crewed fighters like the F-22 and F-35, carrying additional air-to-air munitions and improving operational flexibility in contested environments.

Both vehicles are classified under the Mission Design Series: “Y” for prototype, “F” for fighter, “Q” for unmanned, followed by their respective sequence numbers (42 and 44) and version indicator “A.” The “Y” prefix will be dropped once production begins.

The YFQ-42A, created by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is based on the XQ-67A experimental model developed for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Off-Board Sensing Station initiative. It belongs to the Gambit series of unmanned systems and has been enhanced for endurance, internal weapon storage, and a modular software framework. Its design features a dorsal inlet, an elongated fuselage, V-tails, and internal compartments suitable for AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.

The platform prioritizes adaptability and integration with manned aircraft. General Atomics has announced that production of the first YFQ-42A commenced in 2024, following a successful flight of the XQ-67A on February 28 of that year. The YFQ-44A is derived from the Fury platform, which was initially developed by Blue Force Technologies and acquired by Anduril Industries in 2023. Originally called Grackle and later renamed REDmedium, this platform was designed to function as an aggressor aircraft for training and simulation purposes.

It boasts swept trapezoidal wings, a chin-mounted inlet, a cruciform tail with stabilators, and external hardpoints. Its estimated specifications include a length of 20 feet (6.1 meters), a wingspan of 17 feet (5.2 meters), a maximum takeoff weight of 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms), and is powered by a Williams FJ44-4M turbofan producing 4,000 lbf of thrust (17.8 kilonewtons). It is anticipated to reach speeds of up to Mach 0.95 at an altitude of 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) and maintain 4.5g at 20,000 feet (6,096 meters), with a maximum of 9g. Anduril has revealed plans to produce the platform at a facility in Columbus, Ohio, and aims to incorporate its proprietary Lattice software into the aircraft’s autonomous system.

Both platforms are intended to operate within the CCA operational framework, where uncrewed systems collaborate with crewed fighters to enhance firepower and survivability. They are designed for conventional takeoff and landing, but future iterations may explore alternative launch methods, such as air-launch or ground-based systems that do not depend on traditional runways.

The CCA initiative aligns with the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment (ACE) strategy, which focuses on distributed operations and minimizing reliance on extensive fixed infrastructure. Beale AFB’s status as a preferred ARU site reflects these operational needs. The ARU will keep CCAs in a fly-ready state with minimal sortie generation, which is anticipated to reduce personnel and maintenance requirements compared to current aircraft fleets. General Allvin noted that the CCA program signifies a shift in acquisition priorities towards flexibility and iterative enhancements.

The Air Force has shifted its focus from long-term sustainment to modular design and expedited fielding timelines. Increment 1 encompasses production-representative test vehicles and is set to conclude with a competitive selection in FY2026. Approximately 200 aircraft are projected to be produced by 2028.

Funding is allocated from the NGAD program line, with the Senate Appropriations Committee recommending a $557.1 million transfer from the NGAD platform account to the CCA line in FY2025, due to a delay in the NGAD manned platform contract award. The total planned funding for CCA from FY2025 to FY2029 is $8.89 billion, which includes $494.9 million in FY2026, $1.65 billion in FY2027, $3.05 billion in FY2028, and $3.1 billion in FY2029.

The program is designed to expand to a fleet of up to 1,000 aircraft, based on planning assumptions that involve two CCAs for each advanced manned fighter. These numbers are utilized for organizing training, maintenance, and operational strategies. The platforms are not deemed expendable; however, their lower cost—estimated between $25 and $30 million per unit—compared to manned fighters allows for a higher tolerance of operational risk.

The Air Force has confirmed that CCAs will initially be deployed in air-to-air roles to enhance the limited internal weapons capacity of stealth fighters. Future increments may introduce additional mission types, including electronic warfare, strike, and reconnaissance. Development for Increment 2 is set to commence in FY2026.

Initially envisioned as a high-end, stealth-capable advancement of Increment 1, the current strategy is considering a blend of both low-end and high-end solutions. Maj. Gen. Kunkel noted in April 2025 that wargaming suggested that larger quantities of simpler platforms could be more effective than smaller numbers of complex systems, especially in Indo-Pacific scenarios. Consequently, Increment 2 may prioritize cost-effectiveness and scalable production. The Air Force plans to involve over 20 industry partners in this phase and has begun discussions regarding potential international collaboration.

The concept of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) is intricately linked to manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), where a human operator manages or collaborates with unmanned systems. In this setup, uncrewed aircraft can function as sensors, shooters, or decoys, assisting the human pilot who acts as the mission commander. The Air Force states that AI-driven software will enable CCAs to operate with a degree of autonomy while remaining under human supervision. This operational model has been tested with platforms such as the XQ-58A Valkyrie and in simulated environments like the Joint Simulation Environment.

Although CCAs are primarily designed for the U.S. Air Force, similar initiatives are being developed worldwide. Australia has introduced the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, while China is working on the GJ-11 and LJ-1, potentially integrating them with a two-seat variant of the J-20 stealth fighter for control. Other countries are also making strides, including Japan with its F-X-linked wingman drone, India’s CATS Warrior, Turkey’s Anka-3, and the UK’s previously shelved Mosquito project.

International design strategies differ, with some nations favoring modular drones launched from crewed platforms, while others focus on creating autonomous aircraft equipped with stealth and weaponry. Analysts have observed that China’s strategy, which includes dual-seat fighters and drone control from frontline aircraft, may impact Western developments.

The U.S. legislative branch has also taken an interest, as the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (H.Rept. 118-529) urged the Air Force to utilize existing propulsion systems and requested updates on the integration of modular open systems architectures in CCA and related Navy initiatives. Additionally, Congress members are exploring the ramifications of large-scale deployment, including logistics, storage, transport, and governance of autonomy.

The YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A were initially showcased as full-scale prototypes at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference in September 2024. These models are the result of a comprehensive selection process that commenced in January 2024, when contracts were awarded to five companies: General Atomics, Anduril, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman.

By April 2024, the Air Force had narrowed the candidates down to General Atomics and Anduril for Increment 1 testing. Those vendors not chosen will still have the opportunity to compete in future increments. A definitive production decision is anticipated by FY2026.

The Department of the Air Force has indicated that the readiness of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), their cost structures, and their operational roles will continue to develop through ongoing experimentation, simulation, and iterative acquisition processes.

These aircraft aim to enhance capacity at a lower cost, extend the operational range of manned fighters, and contribute to the overarching goal of ensuring air superiority in contested environments.