The US Air Force has officially classified its first two Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) as fighters, marking a key step in the evolution of aerial warfare. The announcement came from Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin during the AFA Warfare Symposium on March 3.
The two prototype aircraft, the YFQ-42A developed by General Atomics and the YFQ-44A from Anduril Industries, are the first uncrewed aircraft to receive a fighter designation.
Under Air Force naming conventions, the “Y” indicates a prototype, “F” stands for fighter, and “Q” signifies an unmanned system. Once these aircraft transition into production, the “Y” will be dropped from their names.
Allvin said that this classification is more than just a naming decision. The rapid development of these CCAs, from concept to prototype in under two years, demonstrates a fundamental shift in air combat strategy.
He described the introduction of the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A as a sign that the Air Force is embracing a new era in aerial warfare. The CCA program aims to integrate autonomous drones as “loyal wingmen” to fly alongside crewed fighters like the F-35 Lightning II.
The Air Force believes that a single-manned fighter can manage multiple drones using relatively simple autonomous technology to improve combat capabilities while minimizing costs.
“For the first time in our history, we have a fighter designation in the YFQ-42 Alpha and the YFQ-44 Alpha—maybe just symbolic, but it’s telling the world that we are leaning into a new chapter of aerial warfare,” Allvin added.
This classification is a broader transition toward human-machine teaming within the Air Force’s operational framework.
Unlike traditional uncrewed support aircraft, which typically receive the “MQ” designation for roles such as reconnaissance and refueling, these new fighter-designated drones will play a direct role in combat.
Anduril Industries described the milestone as a major step forward in the development of semi-autonomous fighter aircraft. The company highlighted the importance of producing high-performance, cost-effective, and rapidly deployable systems that will redefine air superiority by the end of the decade.
On the other hand, General Atomics said, “YFQ-42A will be critical in securing air dominance for the Joint Force in future conflicts, leveraging autonomous capabilities and crewed-uncrewed teaming to defeat enemy threats in contested environments.”
“It is designed to integrate seamlessly with current and next-generation crewed aircraft, expanding mission capabilities and ensuring continued air dominance. In short, YFQ-42A provides fighter capacity—affordable mass—at a lower cost and on a threat-relevant timeline,” GA added.
Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)
General Atomics and Anduril’s newly designated drones are being developed as part of Increment 1 of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. These aircraft, identified as the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A, represent the first stage of an initiative aimed at integrating autonomous systems into modern aerial combat operations.
The initial phase of these CCAs is designed to complement and operate closely with crewed fighter jets, with a primary focus on air-to-air combat missions.
At least in the early stages, these uncrewed aircraft will function as force multipliers for traditional manned fighters to increase their offensive and defensive capabilities while extending their operational reach.
The Pentagon has ambitious plans to mass-produce these CCAs at a significantly lower cost compared to conventional fighter jets.
The concept envisions multiple FQ-designated fighters working alongside advanced platforms such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 and F-22.
These drones will provide additional combat effects, supporting crewed aircraft by carrying extra air-to-air munitions, extending sensor coverage, and executing missions that would otherwise put human pilots at risk.
While the first generation of CCAs is designed to function primarily in a supporting role, future iterations may be developed with expanded capabilities.
As part of its initial procurement efforts, the Air Force aims to acquire between 100 and 150 Increment 1 CCAs. In 2024, it selected General Atomics and Anduril to advance their designs after a competitive selection process. Other major defense contractors, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, had also submitted proposals.
In their first operational deployment, these CCAs will primarily serve as airborne “missile trucks,” flying in formation with crewed jets to provide additional firepower.
However, discussions have already taken place about expanding their roles to include electronic warfare, intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and even fully autonomous missions in the future.
At the same time, the Air Force is refining plans for Increment 2 of the CCA program, which will introduce a new generation of drones with enhanced capabilities.
These next-generation CCAs are expected to be more advanced but also more expensive, though their exact mission profiles and technological enhancements have yet to be determined.
The long-term vision includes the potential acquisition of up to 1,000 CCAs or even more, depending on operational needs and budget constraints.
Despite strong advocacy for the CCA program within the Air Force, its long-term future remains uncertain. It is one of several major defense initiatives awaiting further decisions, alongside efforts to develop a next-generation air superiority platform and a survivable aerial refueling system.
The final direction of these programs will be decided by the incoming secretary and undersecretary of the Air Force, pending confirmation by the US Senate.
According to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, the leadership transition provides an opportunity to reassess current plans and ensure they align with the military’s future strategic objectives.
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