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U.S. Air Force Advances Autonomous Combat Aircraft Technology

2/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Air Force integrated mission autonomy software into the Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A using Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA).
General Atomics completed the YFQ-42A's first semi-autonomous mission, demonstrating effective command via ground operators.
Anduril Industries, collaborating with Shield AI, is preparing to test its YFQ-44A prototype.
The Air Force aims to deploy at least 1,000 CCAs for various missions by the end of the decade.

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Story summary

The U.S. Air Force integrated mission autonomy software into the Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A using Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA).
General Atomics completed the YFQ-42A's first semi-autonomous mission, demonstrating effective command via ground operators.
Anduril Industries, collaborating with Shield AI, is preparing to test its YFQ-44A prototype.
The Air Force aims to deploy at least 1,000 CCAs for various missions by the end of the decade.