US firm's fighter drone completes first flight, can integrate weapons

Anduril’s YFQ-44A fighter drone has successfully completed its maiden flight as part of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which aims to develop autonomous drone wingmen to team with manned fighter aircraft. The YFQ-44A reached flight testing just 556 days after design began, marking an unprecedented pace for a major fighter aircraft program. This milestone highlights the role of competition in accelerating innovation and delivering combat capabilities that maintain U.S. air superiority. The YFQ-44A is designed for semi-autonomous operation, capable of executing mission plans, managing flight controls and throttle adjustments independently, and returning to base with minimal human intervention. Unlike remotely piloted drones, it operates with an "operator on the loop" rather than "in the loop," emphasizing autonomy as fundamental to affordable mass deployment and enhanced mission effectiveness. Through ongoing flight testing, Anduril and the Air Force are refining manned-unmanned teaming tactics to integrate