US Marine Corps to test 'digital brain' on YFQ-42A 'wingman' drone

The US Marine Corps (USMC) has selected General Atomics’ YFQ-42A aircraft for evaluation in its Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft (MUX TACAIR) Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. This initiative involves integrating a USMC-provided ‘digital brain’ mission kit into the YFQ-42A to test its autonomous capabilities and operational effectiveness alongside crewed fighter aircraft. The YFQ-42A, one of two uncrewed fighter drones chosen for flight testing (the other being Andurill’s YFQ-44A), will serve as a surrogate platform to explore how uncrewed aircraft can function as AI-enabled “wingmen” in combat scenarios, providing support such as drawing enemy fire, reconnaissance, and other mission roles within the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). General Atomics emphasizes the YFQ-42A’s modular design and rapid adaptability for various mission sets, highlighting its autonomy