Anduril, General Atomics Step Up to Provide Demo Planes Under Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

The Department of the Air Force has begun ground testing a future uncrewed jet design in a milestone towards pilotless dogfighting, according to a recent announcement.

Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin announced the “huge milestone”, calling the start of ground testing “another step toward first flight and rapid delivery to our warfighters…” adding “These unmanned fighters are going to be badass!” Beale Air Force Base will be the preferred location for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program Readiness Unit, helping to accelerate the CCA project as things take shape. So far, the effort has two test vehicles, one from General Atomics, the blue chip manufacturer for USGI RPAs, and Anduril, a relative newcomer to the high-tech scene. The YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A will be used to evaluate proposed focusing on propulsion systems, avionics, autonomy integration and ground control interfaces, helping to validate the performance of things as they are now while the USAF plans for future developments. If all goes well, the program should move on to flight testing later in 2025.

The program is vital for the Air Force of the Future, particularly now that the world has been enlightened in regards to survivability in a battlefield of drones. Currently, the average combat drone deployed afield is a fairly cheap, low-speed design with an eye towards old-school buzz-bombing, not totally unlike the old V1 from WWII. But everyone can tell that things are accelerating very quickly behind the scenes, and crewed aircraft will see more danger year over year as drones and RPAs gain speed, payload, compute power, and altitude.

“Starting ground tests is a key milestone for the CCA Increment 1 program,” said General Allvin. “This phase bridges the gap between design and flight, reducing integration risks, boosting confidence and laying the groundwork for a successful first flight and eventual fielding to the warfighter.”

“We’re moving fast because the warfighter needs this capability,” Allvin said. “CCA is about delivering a decisive advantage in highly contested environments. The program is accelerating fielding through innovative design and acquisition strategies — and both vendors are meeting or exceeding key milestones. These aircraft will help us turn readiness into operational dominance.”

FMI: www.af.mil