Defense & Military
Anduril’s YFQ-44A Advances US Air Force Autonomous Combat Aircraft
Anduril’s YFQ-44A successfully completes first flight, pushing forward the US Air Force’s autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
The landscape of military aviation is on the brink of a monumental shift, comparable to the transition from piston engines to jets or the advent of stealth technology. This transformation is being driven by the integration of advanced autonomy into combat aircraft, a concept brought to life by the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The program aims to develop uncrewed, autonomous “wingmen” that will fly alongside and augment the capabilities of crewed fighters, providing what the military calls “affordable mass” to enhance lethality and survivability in contested environments.
At the forefront of this initiative is defense technology company Anduril, which has made significant strides with its YFQ-44A prototype. The successful first flight of this aircraft marks a critical milestone, not just for the company, but for the future of air warfare. This event signals a tangible step toward a future where teams of crewed and uncrewed aircraft collaborate to achieve air superiority. The CCA program represents a paradigm shift, moving away from a reliance on a small number of exquisite, expensive platforms toward a more distributed and resilient force structure.
Anduril’s approach, characterized by rapid hardware development fused with sophisticated software, has positioned it as a key innovator in the defense sector. By focusing on autonomy from the ground up, the company is tackling the most complex challenges of the CCA program head-on. The flight of the YFQ-44A is more than a technical demonstration; it is a proof of concept for a new way of developing and fielding critical defense capabilities at a pace relevant to modern strategic competition.
Anduril’s journey with the YFQ-44A, internally known as Fury, has been defined by remarkable speed and a software-first philosophy. The company achieved a major program milestone by taking the aircraft from a “clean-sheet design to wheels-up in just 556 days,” a timeline it notes is faster than any major fighter aircraft program in recent history. This rapid development cycle is a direct response to the pacing threats identified by the Department of Defense, which necessitates a departure from traditional, decades-long acquisition timelines. The urgency is clear: adversaries are not waiting, and achieving “affordable mass” through programs like CCA is seen as essential for deterrence.
The foundation for the YFQ-44A was laid with Anduril’s acquisition of Blue Force Technologies in September 2023. Blue Force had been developing the Fury platform since 2019 as a high-performance aggressor aircraft. Anduril adapted this design for the CCA program, leveraging its expertise in autonomy and rapid prototyping. This strategic acquisition allowed Anduril to accelerate its entry into the competition, building upon an existing high-performance airframe designed for fighter-like capabilities, including speeds of Mach 0.95 and the ability to sustain 9 Gs.
The inaugural First-Flight on October 31, 2025, was a pivotal moment, showcasing the platform’s core design principle: semi-autonomous operation from day one. Unlike a remotely piloted drone, the YFQ-44A was not flown with a traditional stick and throttle. Instead, it executed a pre-planned mission, managed its own flight controls, and landed with the push of a button, all while monitored by a human operator. This approach validates the foundational software and control systems, paving the way for more complex manned-unmanned teaming exercises.
“By integrating autonomy into the earliest ground and flight tests for YFQ-44A, we’re tackling the hardest challenge that this technology presents first. As a result, we are accelerating the pace of learning and iteration so that we can ultimately deliver this decisive capability to warfighters faster.”, Jason Levin, SVP of Engineering, Air Dominance & Strike, Anduril.
The CCA program is a competitive endeavor designed to spur innovation and accelerate delivery. Anduril is one of two primary vendors selected for the first increment of the program, alongside General Atomics, which is developing the competing YFQ-42A. This competitive environment is seen as a driving force for progress. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall has championed this approach as a way to field autonomous systems at speed and scale. The first flights of both prototypes provide the Air Force with crucial data to refine requirements and reduce risk before making a final production decision, expected in fiscal year 2026.
The ultimate goal of the CCA program is to create a versatile and cost-effective force multiplier. These robotic wingmen are envisioned to perform a wide range of missions, from carrying extra munitions and sensors to conducting electronic warfare and acting as decoys. By offloading these tasks from crewed aircraft, the CCA platforms enhance the survivability and lethality of the entire force package. The Air Force has indicated a potential procurement of up to 1,000 CCA Drones in the first increment alone, highlighting the scale of this transformative effort. Anduril’s strategy extends beyond just building the aircraft; it involves creating a new model for defense manufacturing. The company is constructing a 5 million-square-foot production facility, Arsenal-1, in Columbus, Ohio, where it plans to begin producing prototype CCAs in the first half of 2026. This facility is designed for mass production, utilizing a common software backbone and a manufacturing philosophy focused on simplicity and mature technologies to build aircraft at a rate and cost that meets the program’s objective of “affordable mass.”
The successful flight test of the YFQ-44A is a crucial step toward realizing the concept of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), a cornerstone of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems. The vision is for a single human pilot in a crewed fighter, such as an F-35 or the future NGAD platform, to command a team of autonomous CCA wingmen. These uncrewed aircraft will act as extensions of the pilot’s will, expanding their situational awareness, tactical options, and overall mission effectiveness.
Flight testing is about more than just validating the aircraft’s performance metrics like speed and maneuverability. It is the proving ground for the collaborative tactics and concepts of operation that will define this new era of air combat. Anduril and the Air Force are using these tests to write the playbook for how pilots will integrate, fight with, and sustain these autonomous systems in a high-end conflict. The software powering the YFQ-44A is designed to process data at combat speed, identify targets, and command effects, all while seamlessly collaborating with its human and robotic teammates.
This new paradigm promises to fundamentally alter the calculus of air warfare. By distributing capabilities across a larger number of lower-cost, attritable platforms, the Air Force can create more complex tactical dilemmas for adversaries while reducing the risk to human pilots. The integration of autonomy is the key enabler, allowing a small number of operators to manage a large fleet of assets. As Brian Schimpf, CEO of Anduril, noted, the CCA program embraces a “fast-moving, forward-looking approach to field autonomous systems at speed and scale.”
The first semi-autonomous flight of Anduril’s YFQ-44A is a landmark achievement in the U.S. Air Force’s pursuit of next-generation air dominance. It represents a tangible advancement in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program and a validation of Anduril’s rapid, software-centric approach to defense innovation. By achieving flight in just 556 days from a clean-sheet design, the program demonstrates a new potential for speed and agility in military hardware development, directly addressing the challenge of pacing threats.
Looking ahead, the data gathered from these initial flight tests will be instrumental in shaping the future of the CCA program and the broader integration of autonomy into the armed forces. The competition between Anduril and General Atomics will continue to drive innovation as the Air Force moves toward a production decision. The success of this program will not only deliver a new class of combat aircraft but also pioneer new manufacturing philosophies and operational concepts, ultimately reshaping the defense industrial base and the very nature of air superiority for decades to come.
Question: What is the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program? Question: What is the Anduril YFQ-44A? Question: How is the YFQ-44A operated? Question: Who are the main competitors in the CCA program? Question: What is the timeline for the CCA program?
Anduril’s YFQ-44A Takes Flight, Ushering in a New Era of Autonomous Air Combat
From Clean Sheet to First Flight: The YFQ-44A’s Rapid Ascent
The Competitive Landscape and Program Goals
The Future of Air Combat: Manned-Unmanned Teaming
Conclusion: A New Chapter in Aviation History
FAQ
Answer: The CCA program is a U.S. Air Force initiative to develop autonomous, uncrewed aircraft, or “robotic wingmen,” designed to fly alongside crewed fighter jets. The goal is to increase mission effectiveness and survivability by providing “affordable mass.”
Answer: The YFQ-44A, also known as Fury, is Anduril’s prototype aircraft for the CCA program. It is a high-performance, semi-autonomous uncrewed aerial vehicle that recently completed its first flight test.
Answer: The YFQ-44A is designed for semi-autonomous operation. It is not remotely piloted with a traditional stick and throttle. Instead, it executes pre-planned missions, manages its own flight controls, and lands with the push of a button, all while being monitored by a human operator.
Answer: The two primary vendors for the first increment of the CCA program are Anduril, with its YFQ-44A, and General Atomics, with its YFQ-42A prototype.
Answer: The Air Force is expected to make a final production decision for the first increment of the CCA program in fiscal year 2026, with the goal of fielding the first operational units before 2030.
Sources
Photo Credit: Anduril
Defense & Military
Firehawk Aerospace Expands Rocket Motor Production in Mississippi Facility
Firehawk Aerospace acquires a DCMA-rated facility in Mississippi to boost production of solid rocket motors using 3D-printing technology.
This article is based on an official press release from Firehawk Aerospace.
On December 19, 2025, Firehawk Aerospace announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing capabilities with the acquisition of a specialized defense facility in Crawford, Mississippi. The Dallas-based defense technology company has secured a 20-year lease on the 636-acre site, which was formerly operated by Nammo Talley.
This acquisition marks a strategic pivot for Firehawk as it moves to address critical shortages in the U.S. defense supply chain. By taking over a facility that is already rated by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), the company aims to bypass the lengthy construction and certification timelines typically associated with greenfield defense projects. The site will serve as a hub for the full-system integration of solid rocket motors (SRMs), complementing the company’s existing R&D operations in Texas and energetics production in Oklahoma.
The Crawford facility is located in Lowndes County within Mississippi’s “Golden Triangle” region. According to the company’s announcement, the site is a “turnkey” defense asset designed specifically for handling high-grade explosives and munitions. The infrastructure includes assembly bays protected by one-foot-thick concrete walls and safety “blowout” walls designed to contain accidental detonations.
Because the facility was previously used by Nammo Defense Systems for the high-volume assembly of shoulder-launched munitions, such as the M72 LAW and SMAW systems, it retains the necessary regulatory certifications to allow for rapid operational ramp-up. Firehawk Aerospace CEO Will Edwards emphasized the urgency of this expansion in a statement regarding the deal.
“This acquisition strengthens Firehawk’s ability to address one of the nation’s most urgent defense challenges: rebuilding munition inventories that have been drawn down faster than they can be replaced.”
, Will Edwards, Co-founder and CEO of Firehawk Aerospace
The acquisition comes at a time when the Western defense industrial base is grappling with a severe shortage of solid rocket motors, which power critical systems like the Javelin, Stinger, and GMLRS missiles. Traditional manufacturing methods, which involve casting propellant in large batches that take weeks to cure, have created production bottlenecks.
Firehawk Aerospace intends to disrupt this model by utilizing proprietary 3D-printing technology to manufacture propellant grains. According to the press release, this additive manufacturing approach reduces production times from weeks to hours. The company has explicitly stated that the new Mississippi facility is being designed to achieve a production tempo of “thousands of rockets per month,” a significant increase over legacy industry standards. “While the current industrial base is built to produce thousands of rockets per year, we are building this site… to operate at a much higher production tempo… designing for throughput measured in thousands per month, not years.”
, Will Edwards, CEO
The expansion is expected to bring skilled jobs to the Golden Triangle region, which is increasingly becoming a hub for aerospace and defense activity. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves welcomed the investments, noting the dual benefits of economic growth and national security support.
“Their acquisition in Crawford will bring skilled jobs to the region while directly contributing to the production capacity our nation needs.”
, Tate Reeves, Governor of Mississippi
From R&D to Mass Production: This acquisition signals Firehawk’s transition from a development-focused startup to a volume manufacturer. By securing a pre-rated facility, Firehawk has effectively shaved 2–3 years off its timeline, the period typically required to build and certify a new explosives handling site. This speed is critical given the current geopolitical demand for tactical munitions.
Supply Chain Decentralization: The move also highlights a strategy of decentralization. By distributing operations across Texas (R&D), Oklahoma (Energetics), and now Mississippi (Integration), Firehawk is building a supply chain that may prove more resilient than centralized legacy models. This geographic diversity also allows the company to tap into distinct labor markets and state-level incentives, such as Mississippi’s aerospace initiatives.
What is the significance of the DCMA rating? How does Firehawk’s technology differ from traditional methods? What was the facility used for previously?
Firehawk Aerospace Acquires Mississippi Facility to Scale Rocket Motor Production
Strategic Asset Details
Addressing the “Rocket Motor Crisis”
Regional Economic Impact
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
A DCMA (Defense Contract Management Agency) rating verifies that a facility meets strict Department of Defense quality and safety standards. Acquiring a pre-rated facility allows Firehawk to begin production much faster than if they had to build and certify a new site from scratch.
Traditional solid rocket motors are cast in large batches, a process that requires weeks for the propellant to cure. Firehawk uses 3D-printing technology to print propellant grains, which allows for custom geometries and reduces the manufacturing time to mere hours.
The facility was formerly operated by Nammo Talley (now Nammo Defense Systems) for the assembly of shoulder-launched munitions, including the M72 LAW and SMAW systems.Sources
Photo Credit: Firehawk Aerospace
Defense & Military
20 Years of the F-22 Raptor Operational Capability and Upgrades
Lockheed Martin celebrates 20 years of the F-22 Raptor’s operational service, highlighting its stealth, combat roles, readiness challenges, and modernization.
Lockheed Martin has launched a campaign commemorating the 20th anniversary of the F-22 Raptor achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC). In December 2005, the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia became the first unit to field the fifth-generation fighter, marking a significant shift in global air superiority.
According to the manufacturer’s announcement, the aircraft continues to define the benchmark for modern air combat. In a statement regarding the milestone, Lockheed Martin emphasized the platform’s enduring relevance:
“The F-22 Raptor sets the global standard for capability, readiness, and mission success.”
While the airframe was designed in the 1990s and first flew in 1997, the F-22 remains a central pillar of U.S. air power. The fleet, which consists of approximately 185 remaining aircraft out of the 195 originally built, has evolved from a pure air superiority fighter into a multi-role platform capable of ground strikes and strategic deterrence.
Since its operational debut, the F-22 has maintained a reputation for dominance, primarily established through high-end military aircraft exercises rather than direct air-to-air combat against manned aircraft.
Data from the U.S. Air Force and independent observers highlights the discrepancy between the Raptor’s exercise performance and its real-world combat engagements. During the 2006 Northern Edge exercise, its first major test after becoming operational, the F-22 reportedly achieved a 108-to-0 kill ratio against simulated adversaries flying F-15s, F-16s, and F/A-18s.
Despite this lethality in training, the aircraft’s combat record is distinct. The F-22 made its combat debut in September 2014 during Operation Inherent Resolve, conducting ground strikes against ISIS targets in Syria. To date, the aircraft has zero confirmed kills against manned enemy aircraft. Its sole air-to-air victory occurred in February 2023, when an F-22 utilized an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile to down a high-altitude Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina.
The primary driver of the F-22’s longevity is its low observable technology. Defense analysts estimate the Raptor’s Radar Cross Section (RCS) to be approximately 0.0001 square meters, roughly the size of a steel marble. This makes it significantly stealthier than the F-35 Lightning II and orders of magnitude harder to detect than foreign competitors like the Russian Su-57 or the Chinese J-20.
While Lockheed Martin’s anniversary campaign highlights “readiness” as a key pillar of the F-22’s legacy, recent Air Force data suggests a more complex reality regarding the fleet’s health. We note that maintaining the world’s premier stealth fighter comes at a steep logistical cost. According to data published by Air & Space Forces Magazine regarding Fiscal Year 2024, the F-22’s mission capable (MC) rate dropped to approximately 40%. This figure represents a decline from roughly 52% in the previous fiscal year and indicates that, at any given time, fewer than half of the Raptors in the inventory are flyable and combat-ready.
This low readiness rate is largely attributed to the fragility of the aircraft’s stealth coatings and the aging avionics of the older airframes. The Air Force has previously attempted to retire 32 older “Block 20” F-22s used for training to divert funds toward newer programs, though Congress has blocked these efforts to preserve fleet numbers. The contrast between the jet’s theoretical dominance and its logistical availability remains a critical challenge for planners.
Contrary to earlier projections that might have seen the F-22 retired in the 2030s, the Air Force is investing heavily to keep the platform viable until the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter comes online.
In 2021, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $10.9 billion contract for the Advanced Raptor Enhancement and Sustainment (ARES) program. This decade-long modernization effort aims to update the fleet’s hardware and software.
According to budget documents for Fiscal Year 2026, the “Viability” upgrade package includes several key enhancements:
These investments suggest that while the F-22 is celebrating its past 20 years, the Air Force intends to rely on its capabilities well into the next decade.
Sources: Lockheed Martin, U.S. Air Force
Two Decades of the Raptor: Celebrating the F-22’s Operational Milestone
Operational History and Combat Record
Exercise Performance vs. Combat Reality
Stealth Capabilities
AirPro News Analysis: The Readiness Paradox
Modernization and Future Outlook
The ARES Contract and Upgrades
Sources
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
Defense & Military
U.S. Navy Zero-G Helmet System Completes Critical Design Review
Collins Elbit Vision Systems completes design review for the Zero-G Helmet Display, reducing pilot weight load and enhancing safety for Navy aircraft.
This article is based on an official press release from Collins Elbit Vision Systems (RTX).
Collins Elbit Vision Systems (CEVS), a joint venture between RTX’s Collins Aerospace and Elbit Systems of America, has officially announced the completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Zero-G Helmet Mounted Display System+ (HMDS+). This milestone, finalized on December 12, 2025, marks a pivotal step in the U.S. Navy’s Improved Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (IJHMCS) program.
The successful CDR effectively freezes the system’s design, confirming that the helmet meets the Navy’s rigorous requirements for safety, performance, and platform integration. With the design locked, the program now transitions into the airworthiness testing and integration phase, bringing the system closer to deployment aboard the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets.
According to the press release, the Zero-G HMDS+ is engineered to address long-standing physiological challenges faced by naval aviators while introducing “6th-generation” digital capabilities to existing 4.5-generation aircraft.
The Zero-G HMDS+ represents a significant departure from legacy analog systems. While previous iterations required pilots to physically attach heavy Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) for low-light operations, the new system integrates digital night vision directly into the visor. This integration streamlines cockpit operations and reduces the physical burden on the aircrew.
A primary driver for the Zero-G’s development is the reduction of head-borne weight. High-G maneuvers in fighter aircraft place immense strain on a pilot’s neck and spine, a hazard exacerbated by heavy, unbalanced legacy helmets. CEVS reports that the Zero-G system is more than 25 percent lighter than current market alternatives. Its name is derived from its optimized center of gravity, designed to minimize fatigue and long-term injury risks.
Capt. Joseph Kamara, the U.S. Navy Program Manager for Naval Aircrew Systems (PMA-202), emphasized the safety implications of the new design in a statement:
“Aircrew health and safety is our number one priority. The Zero-G being integrated through our IJHMCS program promises to relieve aircrew of neck and back strain and greatly improve ejection safety.”
Beyond ergonomics, the helmet utilizes a binocular waveguide display system. Unlike monocular reticles used in older models, this technology projects high-definition color symbology and video into both eyes, creating a fully immersive 3D view of the battlespace. The system is capable of “sensor fusion at the edge,” processing mission data and weapon information directly on the helmet to act as a primary flight instrument. Luke Savoie, President and CEO of Elbit Systems of America, highlighted the strategic necessity of this upgrade:
“Zero-G is providing sensor fusion at the edge… As fighter aircraft level-up, the HMDs of those systems need to as well.”
The Zero-G HMDS+ program has moved rapidly since CEVS was awarded a $16 million contract by the U.S. Navy in September 2023 for development and test support. Following the successful CDR in December 2025, the program is scheduled to undergo flight testing and Avionics integration throughout 2026 and 2027.
The U.S. Navy projects Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the system in 2027. Once fielded, it is expected to equip aviators across the entire fleet of U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Super Hornets and Growlers, totaling more than 750 aircraft.
The completion of the CDR signals a critical maturity point for the Navy’s effort to modernize the human-machine interface in its tactical fleet. While much industry attention is focused on future platforms like NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance), the Zero-G program illustrates the military’s commitment to maintaining the lethality and survivability of its existing backbone fleet.
By adapting technology originally matured for the F-35 Gen III helmet, CEVS is effectively retrofitting advanced situational awareness tools onto older airframes. This approach not only extends the combat relevance of the Super Hornet but also addresses the acute retention issue of pilot physical health. The shift to digital night vision and balanced weight distribution suggests that the Navy views pilot longevity as a critical component of fleet readiness.
Critical Design Review Completed for Navy’s Next-Gen Helmet
Technical Leap: The Zero-G HMDS+
Weight Reduction and Pilot Safety
Advanced Display Capabilities
Program Timeline and Deployment
AirPro News Analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: RTX
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