US: Pilotless Combat Fighter, Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Programme
These tests are only a first step towards the validation of a system that could revolutionise air combat, reducing the risk for pilots and enhancing the offensive capability of the armed forces. The YFQ-44Ain particular, is set to fly this summer, while the YFQ-42A of GA-ASI is being tested to prepare for flight in 2025. This programme aims to reduce risks for pilots and operate in high threat scenarios where the presence of semi-autonomous drones alongside manned aircraft will provide a key tactical advantage.
The Operational Strategy and Implications of CCA
CCA's main goal is to upgrade manned aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor, the F-35 Lightning II and, in the future, the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD), by combining manned and unmanned aircraft in a system called Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T). These autonomous aircraft will not only support existing fighters, but will also offer range extensions, improved survivability in high-threat scenarios, and the ability to fight with greater mass, but at a lower cost. Furthermore, the integration of these drones into operations will have a fundamental impact on defence economics, allowing for greater deployment without the need to proportionally increase the number of manned aircraft.
The programme has also attracted wide interest because of the innovative approach taken by the Air Force: the use of open architectures and commercial technologies to facilitate rapid integration and regular system upgrades. This approach allows the aircraft to be adaptable to future challenges, while ensuring competitive scalability to deal with constantly evolving threats. As stated by General David W. Allvin, Chief of Staff of the USAF, 'The pace of innovation must outpace the pace of threat. The ability to rapidly integrate and evolve in response to new needs is therefore a key element of this initiative.
Next Steps and the Future of the CCA
In anticipation of flight tests scheduled for 2025, the US Air Force has selected Beale Air Force Base, California, as the preferred location for the creation of the first CCA Aircraft Readiness Unit (ARU). This unit will be tasked with keeping the drones in operational condition with minimal daily operations. Since the drones will be semi-autonomous, the number of personnel required to operate them will be significantly lower than in traditional manned aircraft squadrons, thereby optimising operational efficiency.
The CCA programme is scheduled for an acceleration in 2026, with the aim of making a production decision for the first phase (Increment 1) and planning a second phase (Increment 2) that will lead to an even more advanced version of the aircraft. In addition to the prototypes already being tested, the USAF aims to continue the development of innovative solutions for in-flight refuelling and other specialised missions, as well as optimising the command and control of the UAVs. The use of autonomous platforms is no longer a distant prospect, but an integral part of modern military strategies, not only in the US, but also in Europe, where similar capabilities are being developed.
In conclusion, the Air Force's CCA programme represents one of the most promising initiatives for the future of the air force. The combination of manned and unmanned aircraft is reshaping operational paradigms in a strategic context of growing technological and geopolitical threats. With testing proceeding according to plan and the approval of innovative solutions, the USAF is poised to field a new generation of aerial fighters, which, although without pilots on board, could play a key role in the wars of the future.
Published by Condoralex
Born Alessandro Generotti, C.le Maj. Parachutist on leave. Military Parachutist Patent no. 192806. 186th RGT Par. Folgore/5th BTG. Par. El Alamein/XIII Cp. Par. Condor.
Founder and administrator of the website BRIGATAFOLGORE.NET. Blogger and computer scientist by profession.
