The US\u00a0 Air Force has started ground-testing its prototype robot wingmen ahead of their first flight the previous Summer.<\/p>\n
The tests of the\u00a0collaborative combat aircraft\u00a0will focus on \u201cpropulsion systems, avionics, autonomy integration, and ground control interfaces. These assessments will validate performance, inform future design decisions, and prepare the systems for flight testing later this year,\u201d the service said.<\/p>\n
This ground test phase \u201cincludes rigorous evaluations\u201d of General Atomics\u2019 YFQ-42A and Anduril\u2019s YFQ-44A, according to the May 1 press release. However, only Anduril has started ground testing,\u00a0Defense One<\/em>\u00a0confirmed after publication.<\/p>\n The drones will be based at Beale Air Force Base, California, at a \u201cCCA Aircraft Readiness Unit\u201d that will someday deploy the drones \u201cworldwide at a moment\u2019s notice,\u201d the service said. Since the unit won\u2019t have to fly a high number of daily sorties, the number of airmen required to maintain the drones will be “substantially lower\u201d than other programs, the service added.<\/p>\n After the prototypes fly this summer, officials will decide in fiscal 2026 whether to build one or both of the companies\u2019 offerings as \u201cincrement one,\u201d the first tranche of CCAs.<\/p>\n \u201cStarting ground tests is a key milestone for the CCA Increment 1 program,\u201d said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. \u201cThis phase bridges the gap between design and flight, reducing integration risks, boosting confidence, and laying the groundwork for a successful first flight and eventual fielding to the warfighter.\u201d<\/p>\n