BLUF
The US Air Force’s General Atomics-built YFQ-42A collaborative combat aircraft completed its first flight in California, marking rapid progress toward a 1,000-strong fleet of autonomous ‘drone wingmen’, designed to augment fifth- and sixth-generation fighters.Learning outcomes
- Describe the role and purpose of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) in future Air Force operations.
- Analyse how rapid acquisition strategies accelerate technology delivery while managing risk.
- Assess the potential operational advantages of human–machine teaming in contested air domains.
