In contemporary warfare, fighter jets and drones dominate the battlefield, each fulfilling distinct roles from intelligence gathering to combat operations. However, a paradigm shift is on the horizon as militaries worldwide explore the concept of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), also known as loyal wingmen or support drones.
CCAs are specialized drones equipped with sensors and weaponry, designed to provide support to fighter jets and bombers in both intelligence gathering and combat missions, thereby amplifying their effectiveness a concept referred to as force multiplication by the USAF.
These drones are envisioned to be cost-effective and easily integrated into existing military operations. While various designs are under consideration, the USAF has selected defense contractor General Atomics to develop production representative flight test articles of the CCA.
Based on ongoing research from the XQ-67A program, these drones will inherit advanced technology to enhance their capabilities. The XQ-67A, derived from the XQ-58A Valkyrie developed by Kratos, has demonstrated impressive speed and range, along with the capacity to carry diverse weapons payloads.
General Atomics aims to design, build, and flight test the new CCA, leveraging the experience gained from the XQ-67A program. Simultaneously, the company will conduct autonomy and mission systems tests on the MQ-20 Avenger to expedite the development of support drones.