US Air Force tests F-22 Raptor control of autonomous Fury drone

The US Air Force has successfully conducted a flight test where an F-22 Raptor pilot commanded an autonomous YFQ-44A Fury combat drone during a simulated mission. Conducted by Anduril over California, the test represents a major milestone for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.

During the exercise, the F-22 pilot acted as a tactical “quarterback,” issuing high-level strategic directives via a secure tactical data link. The Fury drone’s onboard software interpreted these commands—such as monitoring specific zones or engaging targets—and executed the necessary flight maneuvers and combat tasks autonomously.

The CCA program aims to integrate robotic “loyal wingmen” into fighter squadrons to extend operational range, increase sensor capacity, and saturate enemy defenses while reducing pilot workload. Future challenges for the program include determining tactical autonomy limits, ensuring secure control, managing weapon authorization, and maintaining functionality during electronic interference or communication disruptions.