Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)

European efforts to demonstrate CCA efforts are gaining pace, with Airbus saying it is looking to fly two modified Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie systems before year end.

Leonardo plans to demonstrate its collaborative combat aircraft technology in flight as early as May, CEO Roberto Cingolani says.

The U.S. Marine Corps’ new Aviation Plan builds on the progress of Project Eagle to date while sharpening the focus on artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) and uncrewed technologies.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Announced program timescales suggest more than 1,200 CCAs could be in operation around the world by the end of 2036.

Both of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes are flying with mission autonomy as the service is preparing both for more intensive tests and production decisions.

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that four engine-makers have been awarded initial conceptual design awards for the second increment of CCA.

As the first U.S.-funded Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes enter weapons testing, new details are being released.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions' CEO says the company plans to boost output of its Valkyrie collaborative combat aircraft and that its hypersonic defense business is also on an upward trajectory.

The U.S. Air Force has begun a new phase in testing its Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

Honeywell has received a prototype design contract from the USAF's Propulsion Directorate for its SkyShot 1600, a new small engine targeting the CCA market.

GE Aerospace and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions have won a $12.4 million USAF contract to complete preliminary design of the GEK1500 engine.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has announced that its collaborative combat aircraft has a name: the Dark Merlin.

Singaporean eVTOL demonstrator; missile-launching uncrewed X-plane; BWB goes double-deck; and cheaper SAF by co-electrolysis.

Collins Aerospace released new details about its Sidekick autonomy software.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

In 15-20 years, the U.S. Marine Corps aviation fleet must evolve again. A new strategy document offers a first glimpse of the next wave of aircraft development.

An air-launched missile-carrying UAS developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for DARPA’s LongShot project has been designed the X-68A.

Anduril plans to soon begin flying YFQ-44A prototypes controlled by Shield AI mission autonomy software in the U.S. Air Force’s CCA program.

Aviation Week’s recently released 2026 Military Fleet & MRO Forecast identifies open requirements for the delivery of 6,513 new-build military aircraft worth $250 billion over the next decade.

Hensoldt has struck a partnership with Helsing, the European defense AI company that is behind development of the CA-1 Europa collaborative combat aircraft.

The 2026 Marine Aviation Plan lays out an ambitious vision in four five-year blocks, with the last one starting in 2041 and simply labeled "next generation."

Robust stealth features are one of the features Saab wants on its next combat aircraft.

The U.S. Marine Corps has selected General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. to participate in its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.

Zulu Pods plans to conduct a series of ground-based altitude chamber tests of its self-contained oil tank and pump system on expendable small gas turbines.