U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft Advances To New Phase

Brian Everstine June 19, 2026

Anduril Industries YFQ-44A combat drone prototype — Both the YFQ-44A, pictured, and YFQ-42A have been flying regularly for Air Force tests.

Credit: Ariana Ortega/U.S. Air Force

The U.S. Air Force will produce the two prototypes of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program while heating up a longer-term competition to deliver the autonomy software that will power the new type of uncrewed wingman. The service on June 17 made the expected announcement that both Anduril...

Brian Everstine

Brian Everstine is the Pentagon Editor for Aviation Week, based in Washington, D.C.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)
U.S. Air Force (USAF)
Anduril
Shield AI
Collins Aerospace
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

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