Pentagon Official Reportedly Expects Maiden Flights Within Days

Rumors are swirling regarding the reportedly fast-approaching first flights of one or both of the US Air Force’s new unmanned fighter jets: the Anduril YQ-44A and the General Atomics YFQ-42A. This would clear a major hurdle for the future of pilotless dogfighting.

The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) prototypes have been undergoing ground and taxi tests since May, with Anduril operating out of Southern California Logistics Airport and General Atomics using its Gray Butte test site. Both programs are tightly kept, with the Air Force declining to confirm timelines, meaning there won’t be much press for the initial flights. However, if it works out anything like the B-21 bomber’s debut, we could be getting some detailed imagery fairly quickly once the birds get airborne.

The CCA effort is Increment 1 of a multi-phase program designed to pair autonomous wingmen with F-22s and F-35s. That means the drones would carry extra missiles and extend the reach of piloted aircraft, adding what Air Force leaders call “affordable mass” in combat. While $30 million per drone doesn’t sound too budget-friendly, it looks a little friendlier when compared to roughly $90 million for a new F-35A.

Congress is already pressing the Air Force to move quickly. Lawmakers recently boosted CCA funding and directed the service to map out a path to full-rate production after flight demonstrations. Representative Mike Turner also praised the program for moving from concept to flight in just five years, calling it an example of how the Pentagon can accelerate advanced systems into the field.

If all goes according to plan, the Air Force could eventually buy as many as 1,000 CCAs. Anduril, a relative newcomer to defense aviation, and General Atomics, the long-time builder of the Predator and Reaper drones, are both in the running to secure production work.

The question is no longer if the drones will fly, but which one leaves the runway first. One Pentagon official reportedly shared that they “would be surprised if they do not fly” sometime in the week of August 25, and it would be “hard to hide” which one checks the milestone off first.

FMI: www.af.mil