Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)

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.

A weapons and combat aircraft manufacturing complex is rising out of Ohio soybean fields, representing Anduril’s bid to disrupt the defense industrial base.

The U.S. Navy has created a program office charged with developing Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for the service.

The UK has shortlisted seven bidders in its hunt to find an ACP that could operate as a loyal wingman to its Boeing Apache attack helicopters in the 2030s.

An Anduril-made sensor passively detected and targeted another aircraft from an autonomously commanded Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for the first time.

General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc. has signed up an Emirati company to co-produce MQ-9B Sea Guardians.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ new surface-to-surface missile (SSM) program has entered an advanced flight-test phase.

Luminary Cloud, a U.S. startup applying artificial intelligence to physics-based engineering simulation, has expanded its range of design models.

A series of recent demonstrations have familiarized Boeing F/A-18E/F and Lockheed Martin F-35C pilots with Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

Northrop Grumman will provide the autonomy software for the U.S. Marine Corps first loyal wingman uncrewed system.

The U.S. Air Force is reshaping its acquisition program leadership under direction from top Pentagon leadership.

The European Union is to support research and technology efforts on the development of small turbofan engines for CCAs.

The U.S. Air Force announced Dec. 22 that it has designated the Northrop Grumman Project Talon uncrewed aircraft prototype the YFQ-48A.

The U.S. Air Force has expanded the pool of competitors vying for the second increment of Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

U.S. startup Astro Mechanica plans to take its hybrid-electric supersonic engine into high-altitude and high-speed ground testing in 2026.

The U.S. is 250 years old in 2026. Its leading aerospace and defense companies face growing competition, domestically and internationally, from younger players.