US Air Force Awards AI Fighter Jet Contracts to General Atomics and Anduril

The U.S. Air Force announced production contracts for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, selecting General Atomics to build the FQ‑42 and Anduril Industries to build the FQ‑44 autonomous fighter jets. The contracts aim to deliver 150 combat‑capable aircraft by 2030, with a long‑term goal of about 1,000 units, to augment manned fighter fleets with low‑cost, high‑density wingmen capable of autonomous operations.

The program separates hardware procurement from software development, with Collins Aerospace (an RTX business) providing the Sidekick Collaborative Mission Autonomy software for the FQ‑42. Officials say the AI‑piloted wingmen will expand combat options, reduce operational costs, and mitigate risk to human pilots. Experts have raised ethical concerns, urging that lethal decisions remain under human control. The contracts were awarded ahead of schedule, marking a rapid shift toward mass production of autonomous combat aircraft.