Tag

Collaborative Combat Aircraft

All articles tagged with #collaborative combat aircraft

defense23 days ago•6 min saved

Air Force taps GA and Anduril to field first collaborative combat aircraft

The U.S. Air Force selected General Atomics and Anduril to build the first Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), with autonomy software developed by RTX, Shield AI, and Collins Aerospace. The program targets 150+ drones by the end of the decade, with a goal of roughly $30 million per unit, and FY27 funding to start the first production lots. Development will proceed in increments, including a parallel software competition leading to a final vendor decision in 2027, while production lines begin scaling to field capabilities.

via Breaking Defense|

#air-force #anduril #autonomy-software

technology23 days ago•9 min saved

Air Force accelerates semi-autonomous airpower with multi-vendor CCA contracts

The Air Force advanced the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program by awarding Increment 1 hardware contracts to General Atomics, FQ-42, and Anduril (FQ-44) and establishing a six-vendor baseline for mission autonomy software (Anduril, General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX Collins Aerospace, Shield AI), with production options to speed fielding. The effort emphasizes decoupling hardware and software via the Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA) and a competitive, ongoing software market, aiming to field about 1,000 CCA by decade’s end and to select a primary software provider by summer 2027.

via af.mil|

#a-gra #autonomy-software #collaborative-combat-aircraft

technology1 month ago•6 min saved

Berlin Air Show Lights Up Germany's CCA Drive with Ghost Bat Debut

At the ILA Berlin Air Show, Boeing Australia and Rheinmetall unveiled the MQ-28 Ghost Bat as part of Germany’s push to field a Collaborative Combat Aircraft alongside manned aircraft, with negotiations aiming for a German CCA by 2029 and a potential final contract stage next year. Other vendors, including Helsing with its CA-1EA/KA and Airbus with the Ravenstorm concept, as well as General Atomics, showcased competing CCAs, underscoring a crowded, multinational bid to equip the German air force with advanced unmanned wingmen.

via Breaking Defense|

#berlin-air-show-2026 #boeing-australia #collaborative-combat-aircraft

drones1 month ago•8 min saved

Boeing Expands MQ-28 Ghost Bat Capabilities with Wings, Weapons Bays and BLOS Upgrade

Boeing revealed at ILA Berlin 2026 a roadmap for the MQ-28 Ghost Bat that adds 25% larger wings (boosting MTOW to 12,000 lb and payload to 4,500 lb), internal weapon bays for AMRAAMs and SDBs, optional external stations, and software/mission nose upgrades. The updates improve range, endurance and mission configurability, support Beyond Line of Sight operation, and enable modular payloads for allied customers, with the program rolling out via spiral upgrades after ongoing testing in the U.S. and collaboration with the Royal Australian Air Force.

via The Aviationist|

#boeing #collaborative-combat-aircraft #drones

defense5 months ago•5 min saved

GA and Anduril Sketch Navy Carrier-Capable Unmanned Aircraft

At the Singapore Air Show, General Atomics and Anduril signaled that the Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program could reuse Fury-era components and design concepts to deliver a carrier-capable unmanned platform, with multiple contractors developing concepts and a common-control system while the Navy refines its operating concept for carrier-based CCAs.

via USNI News|

#anduril #collaborative-combat-aircraft #defense

defense8 months ago•3 min saved

Anduril's Drone Wingman Achieves First Flight in Defense Testing

Anduril's prototype drone, YFQ-44A, achieved its first flight as part of the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, marking a significant step in developing autonomous drone wingmen to operate alongside fighter aircraft, with further testing and integration planned for 2026.

via Breaking Defense|

#air-force #anduril #collaborative-combat-aircraft

technology8 months ago•2 min saved

Anduril’s YFQ-44 Fury Drone Completes First Flight

Anduril's YFQ-44A collaborative combat aircraft conducted its first flight test in California, marking a significant step in the U.S. Air Force's initiative to develop AI-driven, semi-autonomous drone wingmen to operate alongside manned fighters, with the goal of enhancing combat capabilities and extending the reach of the fighter fleet.

via Defense News|

#anduril #collaborative-combat-aircraft #drone-wingman

defense-and-military8 months ago•7 min saved

Anduril’s YFQ-44A Drone Wingman Completes First Flight Tests

Anduril's YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft has begun flight testing, marking a rapid development from design to flight in just 556 days, with a focus on autonomy, mass production, and collaboration with the U.S. Air Force to enhance air superiority and adapt to evolving threats.

via Anduril|

#autonomous-aircraft #collaborative-combat-aircraft #defense-and-military

defense9 months ago•3 min saved

Lockheed's Skunk Works Unveils Vectis Stealth Drone for Future Combat

Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works has unveiled the Vectis, a new stealthy, reusable collaborative combat aircraft designed for both U.S. and international military use, capable of air-to-air, air-to-surface, and surveillance missions, with flight expected in two years. The aircraft builds on previous sixth-generation prototypes and aims to offer high survivability and flexibility, potentially serving alongside crewed aircraft and competing with similar international designs.

via Aviation Week Network|

#collaborative-combat-aircraft #defense #skunk-works

military-technology9 months ago•19 min saved

Skunk Works Launches Stealth Vectis Combat Drone

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works has unveiled Vectis, a highly adaptable, stealthy Group 5 combat drone designed for multi-mission roles including air-to-air, air-to-surface, and ISR, expected to fly within two years. The drone emphasizes survivability, modularity, and open mission systems, with a focus on interoperability and rapid upgradability, aiming to meet diverse operational needs across global theaters. Its development aligns with evolving military concepts like distributed operations and runway independence, though it remains runway-dependent in its current form.

via The War Zone|

#collaborative-combat-aircraft #military-technology #skunk-works

world10 months ago•4 min saved

Australia Advances with 'Ghost Bat' Drone in New Defense Era

Australia is developing its first domestically designed and manufactured military drone, the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, in partnership with Boeing, marking a significant shift in its defense industry and signaling an arms race among major powers like China, the US, and Australia itself.

via The New York Times|

#australia #collaborative-combat-aircraft #defense-industry

defense10 months ago•2 min saved

YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft Achieves First Flight

The U.S. Department of the Air Force successfully conducted the first flight of the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, developed with General Atomics, marking a significant milestone in rapid, innovative airpower development aimed at deploying modular, uncrewed aircraft alongside advanced manned fighters. The program emphasizes speed, competition, and open-system architecture to enhance combat capabilities and operational flexibility.

via af.mil|

#airpower-innovation #collaborative-combat-aircraft #defense

technology1 year ago•3 min saved

Air Force Advances Autonomous Drone Wingmen with New Orders and Design Approvals

Anduril Industries and General Atomics have completed critical design reviews for their drone designs under the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, setting the stage for test flights next year. The CCA program aims to deploy around 1,000 drone wingmen to operate alongside fighter jets by the end of the decade. Both companies are advancing their prototypes, with Anduril's Fury and General Atomics' Gambit leading the charge. The Air Force may select one or both designs for production, with further opportunities for other vendors in the future.

via Breaking Defense|

#air-force #anduril #collaborative-combat-aircraft

defense-policy2 years ago•5 min saved

Defense Bill: Retiring A-10s and F-15s, Boosting Military Pay, and Addressing 'Culture War' Issues

The compromise defense policy bill would allow the Air Force to retire older F-15 Eagle fighters and A-10 Warthogs, but would block the retirement of 32 older F-22A Raptors. Lawmakers are requesting more information on the Air Force's plans for incorporating collaborative combat aircraft and creating the Next Generation Air Dominance future fighter platform. The bill also requires the Air Force to maintain a minimum inventory of 1,112 fighters and present a long-term plan for its tactical fighter force. Additionally, the bill addresses the acquisition of fleets of collaborative combat aircraft and the update of the Air Force's tanker fleet.

via Defense News|

#air-force #aircraft-retirement #collaborative-combat-aircraft

military-technology3 years ago•7 min saved

US Air Force Invests in Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

The US Air Force is developing collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to expand its fighter fleet in preparation for great-power competition with China. CCAs can operate remotely or autonomously and perform a range of missions, including air-to-air combat, airstrikes, and intelligence-gathering. They will be able to operate alongside piloted aircraft in manned-unmanned teams or completely autonomously with other CCAs. The Air Force wants cheaper, capable airframes to provide "affordable mass" and address pilot retention and generation issues. The development of CCAs is one of the Air Force's biggest priorities and will shape the future of its inventory.

via Business Insider|

#ai-pilots #collaborative-combat-aircraft #great-power-competition