DefenseUSAF and General Atomics fly first YFQ-42A CCA prototype
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) and General Atomics disclosed on August 27 the first flight of the YFQ-42A, a prototype under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, following initial test sorties conducted in California.
Developed with General Atomics, the YFQ-42A is focused on semi-autonomous air-to-air operations. The airframe draws on the genus-species design approach introduced with the XQ-67A, while its autonomous flight software reflects five years of training and maturation on the MQ-20 Avenger platform.
CCA is part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Family of Systems and is being pursued as a software-defined airpower model. The program aims to field modular, affordable uncrewed aircraft that collaborate with fifth- and sixth-generation crewed fighters.
“CCA will help us rethink the battlespace, extend reach, flexibility and lethality in combat operations, and optimize warfighter performance through human-machine teaming,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin.
Scale and competition
The Air Force plans to procure more than 1,000 CCAs on an accelerated schedule, with a competitive production decision anticipated in fiscal year 2026. Alongside General Atomics’ YFQ-42A, Anduril Industries is advancing the rival YFQ-44A prototype, which is slated to begin flight testing soon.
According to the service, the YFQ-42A marks a milestone in rapidly producing uncrewed platforms intended to support air dominance missions. The approach places software development and updates at the center of capability growth, with airframes designed to accommodate mission-specific payloads and roles through modularity.
The ongoing YFQ-42A flight campaign is expected to further exercise the aircraft’s autonomy and teaming behaviors in operationally relevant scenarios. Data from these sorties will inform subsequent test phases, integration work with crewed aircraft, and the downselect process leading to an FY26 production decision.
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