The US Department of the Air Force has achieved a key development milestone in its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, with one of its prototype platforms taking flight less than two years after the program’s launch.
The aircraft, designated YFQ-42A and developed in partnership with General Atomics, conducted initial flight testing at a California test site. The milestone provides crucial data for evaluating the platform’s airworthiness, autonomous flight capabilities, and mission system integration, according to the Air Force.
Fast-track testing and integration
The CCA initiative, part of the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems, aims to deliver affordable, modular aircraft that can operate alongside fifth- and sixth-generation fighters in combat.
The program is seen as a shift from traditional acquisition models, with faster development timelines and open architectures designed to accommodate evolving mission systems and autonomy software.
Developmental trials are being led by manufacturers, while independent evaluations are conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, California, and operational assessments by the Experimental Operations Unit at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
This layered approach, the US Air Force said, will ensure the service is prepared to rapidly integrate the aircraft into operational units once production begins.
“This milestone showcases what’s possible when innovative acquisition meets motivated industry,” said US Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. “In record time, CCA went from concept to flight — proving we can deliver combat capability at speed when we clear barriers and align around the warfighter.”
The US Department of the Air Force previously selected General Atomics and Anduril Industries to deliver production-representative prototypes, with an Increment 1 production decision expected in fiscal year 2026.
Interest beyond the US
In July 2025, General Atomics announced plans to adapt the YFQ-42A for the European market, with assembly in Germany and locally integrated mission systems. The move comes as European air forces explore ways to field affordable uncrewed aircraft to complement fighters like the Eurofighter Typhoon, Rafale, and F-35 in manned-unmanned teaming concepts.