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US Air Force Ups Orders for Autonomous Fighter Prototypes Toward Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
On November 13, 2024, the US Air Force announced an increase in orders for the initial prototypes of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) to equip a newly established experimental operations unit. This decision, confirmed by Andrew Hunter, the US Air Force’s acquisition chief, marks a step in developing autonomous capabilities within the American Air Force.
The prototypes in question are Anduril’s Fury and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.’s (GA-ASI) Gambit, selected in April for the Increment 1 phase of the CCA program. (Picture source: Anduril)
The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program of the US Air Force aims to develop a new generation of autonomous aircraft designed to operate alongside manned fighter jets, such as the F-35 or the future NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance). These drones, equipped with advanced artificial intelligence, will play complementary roles to enhance air force capabilities, including reconnaissance, electronic warfare, munition transport, and targeted strikes. Their integration relies on sophisticated coordination algorithms, enabling seamless interaction with manned aircraft while reducing risks to human crews. The CCA program, still in its prototype phase, represents a strategic advancement in the use of autonomous technologies for modern conflicts.
The prototypes in question are Anduril’s Fury and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.’s (GA-ASI) Gambit, selected in April for the Increment 1 phase of the CCA program. Hunter specified that these additional orders aim to enhance experimentation with real systems, a critical need for assessing performance and defining operational capabilities before their planned deployment by the end of the decade. However, details regarding quantities and costs remain classified due to Air Force security regulations.
The first flights of the prototypes are still scheduled for 2025. According to Diem Salmon, Anduril’s Vice President for Air Dominance and Strike, this initiative ensures that the military has the necessary tools to test operational concepts and finalize their integration. On the GA-ASI side, spokesperson Mark Brinkley emphasized the importance of this experimental unit in building trust, doctrine, and procedures required for the integration of CCAs.
“Integrating autonomous aircraft into operations goes far beyond merely building the planes,” Brinkley stated. “This experimental operations unit offers the US Air Force a valuable opportunity to anticipate the many challenges related to employing these technologies.”
The fiscal 2024 budget facilitated the creation of this unit, whose primary mission is to explore the introduction of autonomous aircraft into operations. This effort also includes training autonomy algorithms, a critical component distinct from the current prototypes' development.
Additionally, a milestone was achieved for the two prototypes: a critical design review was completed in October. Colonel Timothy Helfrich, leader of advanced aircraft programs within the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), confirmed this progress during the Mitchell Institute Airpower Futures forum. Helfrich stressed the importance of adhering to the initial schedule by avoiding the temptation to add features that could delay the project. These features can be incorporated into the Increment 2 prototypes, whose specifications are being finalized.
“We are very close to starting Increment 2 in earnest,” Helfrich concluded, highlighting the importance of this step in solidifying the capabilities of CCAs and their future role in aerial operations.
Through this initiative, the US Air Force continues its goal of integrating advanced autonomous technologies, contributing to transforming tactics and doctrines to address the challenges of modern conflicts.