The Era of Unmanned Combat Aircraft is Beginning

The US Air Force has received its first unmanned combat aircraft. The YFQ-44A Fury and YFQ-42A Vengeance, developed by Anduril and General Atomics, were delivered as part of the first phase of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. These aircraft were developed to operate alongside manned combat aircraft and are being tested at Creech Air Force Base.

Technical Capacity and Field Balances

The CCA program will undergo testing for the development of semi-autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles that can operate alongside manned combat aircraft. The CCAs are intended to be used in conjunction with combat aircraft such as the F-35, as well as the F-47, which is expected to enter the inventory in the future. In addition to operating with manned combat aircraft, the CCA system is planned to be used in various missions such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and strike.

Testing and Development Process

The key aspects of the tests being conducted include work on operating CCAs from different locations rather than air bases. Activities such as refueling, maintenance, and preparation for re-flight were carried out during the exercises. The Anduril-made YFQ-44A fired an AIM-120 air-to-air missile at a digital target as part of the weapons tests. Ammunition carriage, and the connections between the aircraft and the weapon system were also tested.

Conclusion and Future Perspective

The US Air Force plans to introduce 500 CCA unmanned combat aircraft into its inventory by 2032, with the remaining 500 aircraft expected to be completed after 2032. The production aircraft will be produced under the names FQ-42A and FQ-44A. This development provides significant clues about the future role of unmanned combat aircraft and symbolizes the beginning of a new era in the defense industry.