Anduril’s YFQ-44A ‘fighter drone’ prototype has successfully completed its maiden flight, marking a significant milestone in the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. This prototype is one of two designs under development in the program’s first phase, known as Increment 1, alongside General Atomics’ YFQ-42A, which also took flight earlier this year.
The YFQ-44A soared above Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California, accompanied by two L-29 Delfin trainer jets acting as chase planes. Imagery of the drone in flight is now circulating online, further highlighting this achievement. The prototype’s journey began in the late 2010s with an aggressor drone concept from Blue Force Technologies, acquired by Anduril in 2023.
The Air Force emphasized the flight’s significance by stating, “This marks another major milestone for the CCA program, now with two new uncrewed fighter aircraft going from concept to flight in less than 2 years.” The flight testing is crucial for understanding flight performance, autonomous behaviors, and integration with mission systems. It also serves to refine how uncrewed aircraft can enhance operations alongside crewed fifth and sixth-generation platforms.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink commented on the implications of the flight testing, noting that it drives innovation and accelerates the delivery of vital military capabilities. He stated, “These flights give us the hard data we need to shape requirements, reduce risk, and ensure the CCA program delivers combat capability on a pace and scale that keeps us ahead of the threat.”
Anduril’s Vice President of Air Dominance and Strike, Diem Salmon, previously mentioned that the YFQ-44A was ahead of schedule and highlighted its autonomy as a critical focus. “It was not a race to get to first flight as fast as humanly possible,” Salmon explained. The emphasis on technical development and testing was paramount to ensure successful operations.
The YFQ-44A’s testing program will move forward without delay, with plans for integrating weapon systems and conducting live shots for the following year. Anduril aims to build and maintain the YFQ-44A at their upcoming 5 million square-foot production facility, Arsenal-1, in Ohio, which is set to enhance production capabilities significantly.
The successful first flight of the YFQ-44A not only represents a leap forward for Anduril and the Air Force but also signals a promising future for autonomous military systems. As experimentation and testing progress, the integration of these advanced drones with existing crewed aircraft is poised to revolutionize military operations and strategies.
Overall, this accomplishment strengthens the U.S. military’s commitment to advancing technology and maintaining a competitive edge in defense capabilities.