U.S. Air Force advances drone programs and pilot training models

The U.S. Air Force is advancing several initiatives to modernize its aerial combat capabilities and pilot training. Air Combat Command has issued a market-research notice for the Combat Air Forces Continuum Flight Training Support programme. This initiative explores a Contractor-Owned, Government-Operated (COGO) model, where commercial providers supply aircraft for U.S. government aircrews to operate. The goal is to increase sortie-generation capacity and provide additional flying hours for fighter pilots without relying solely on frontline combat aircraft.

Simultaneously, the Air Force has named its first two Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone prototypes. General Atomics’ FQ-42A has been designated ‘Vengeance,’ while Anduril Industries’ FQ-44A is named ‘Fury.’ These unpiloted stealthy drones are intended to fly alongside piloted fighter jets to perform high-risk missions. The Air Force plans to acquire 150 drones in the initial increment, with the total fleet potentially reaching 500 units by 2032.