Anduril close to the first flight of YFQ-44A drone for USAF CCA program

Anduril Industries is nearing the inaugural flight of its YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) demonstrator for the US Air Force (USAF), according to statements made during the Air & Space Forces Association conference.

The prototype is fully assembled and the company is focusing on certifying its flight software, with a semi-autonomous flight test expected as soon as mid-October.

The YFQ-44A will conduct takeoff and landing in a semi-autonomous mode, managed through a single control interface. This approach distinguishes Anduril’s development from competitors, as the company is designing its own flight software system while the Air Force leads the development of mission-specific autonomy software for the CCA program.

The software integration phase has presented significant challenges, impacting the test schedule. Anduril executives say the company is in the final stages of pre-flight preparations, but the timeline remains subject to change. The Air Force’s Secretary Troy E. Meink confirmed expectations for a flight by October, though he noted the schedule is fluid.

General Atomics, Anduril’s primary competitor in the CCA competition, completed the first flight of its YFQ-42A demonstrator on August 27. Unlike Anduril, General Atomics leverages three decades of experience with automatic takeoff and landing systems. Several unnamed companies are also competing for the CCA’s mission software contract, which will eventually require integration with platform autonomy systems.

The CCA program aims to develop a fleet of semi-autonomous drones designed to operate alongside piloted fighter aircraft. The outcome of this effort is expected to influence future US Air Force fleet composition and operational doctrine.

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Ricardo Meier

Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.

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