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[SITUATION] · [QUIET] · [TECHNOLOGY]

16 clusters · 47 sources · 53 days · First seen 3 months ago · Last updated about 1 month ago

US Air Force CCA and AI autonomy program updates

Overview

In July 2026, the Air Force demonstrated AI-driven autonomy on modified F-16s, culminating in the first fully autonomous flight of a VENOM-equipped aircraft. The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) effort then moved into production. On 17 June 2026, the service awarded a production contract to General Atomics for the FQ-42A “Dark Merlin,” marking the start of series production of the Air Force’s first purpose-built uncrewed fighter. The next day, contracts were also signed with Anduril for the FQ-44 “Fury,” accelerating the CCA program to low-rate production ahead of schedule.

By late July 2026, Anduril rolled out the YFQ-44A “Fury” at its Arsenal-1 facility in Pickaway County, Ohio. This $910.5 million facility is capable of producing up to 150 aircraft per year and is expected to create 4,000 jobs by 2035. Simultaneously, General Atomics began large-scale production of the FQ-42A, despite a temporary suspension in testing following a prototype accident caused by flight-control software issues. The CCA program aims to field semi-autonomous wingmen to complement crewed fighters like the F-35 and B-21.

Parallel AI integration continues on legacy platforms. The Air Force Test Pilot School completed two flight-test programs on the X-62 VISTA in April 2026. The “HAVE HEAT” program successfully utilized an AI agent and an IRST pod to achieve 27 autonomous intercepts of a T-38 trainer. A second effort, “HAVE HOLIDAYS,” evaluated safety protocols for integrating third-party autonomous agents into the aircraft’s Open Mission System.

Entities

United States Air Force · X-62 VISTA · Lockheed Martin · Anduril Industries · Arsenal-1

Timeline

about 1 month ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
US Air Force accelerates production of collaborative combat aircraft
The U.S. Air Force has fast-tracked its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, with Anduril and General Atomics moving their semi-autonomous drone designs into production.
about 2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School Demonstrates AI‑Autonomous X‑62 VISTA Intercepts
The Air Force Test Pilot School completed two X‑62 VISTA programs, with AI‑controlled “HAVE HEAT” achieving 27 autonomous intercepts of a crewed jet and “HAVE HOLIDAYS” testing safety limits, marking a major AI
about 2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 5 sources
US Air Force AI‑piloted F‑16 achieves 27 live intercepts in test
AI agents on a modified F‑16 X‑62 VISTA completed 27 live intercepts at Edwards AFB, showcasing autonomous combat capabilities; a parallel DARPA program also flew a fully AI‑piloted F‑16 under human‑on‑the‑loop
about 2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
Anduril Industries' Fury autonomous fighter jet enters production in Ohio
Anduril’s autonomous Fury fighter jet entered production at Ohio’s Arsenal One plant, a $910 M facility that will create ~4,000 jobs and can build 150 aircraft annually, marking a key step for the U.S. Air Flow
about 2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
US Air Force moves forward with collaborative combat aircraft production
Anduril unveiled the YFQ-44A and General Atomics began mass production of the FQ-42A, marking the U.S. Air Force’s first collaborative combat aircraft deployments and a shift toward autonomous wingmen.
2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
US Air Force conducts first autonomous flight of F-16 under VENOM program
The U.S. Air Force and DARPA tested an autonomous F‑16 flight using the VENOM Autonomy Kit, with a pilot in the cockpit as a safety backup, aiming to scale AI control across the fighter fleet.
2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 6 sources
US Air Force advances AI‑controlled F‑16 fighter with VENOM autonomy kit
DARPA and the U.S. Air Force successfully tested an AI agent autonomously flying a modified F‑16 under the VENOM program, marking a key step toward AI‑controlled combat aircraft.
2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 8 sources
US Air Force and DARPA successfully fly AI‑controlled F‑16 fighter
The US Air Force and DARPA flew a modified F‑16 fighter fully controlled by artificial intelligence using the VENOM Autonomy Kit, marking a step toward autonomous air combat and future human‑led drone teams.
2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 9 sources
US Air Force YFQ-44A drone fires AIM‑120 in first live‑fire test
The U.S. Air Force’s YFQ‑44A drone fired an AIM‑120 missile at a digital target in a July 2026 live‑fire test, demonstrating semi‑autonomous capability while keeping a human in the loop.
2 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
US Air Force moves Anduril FQ-44 combat drone into serial production
The US Air Force approved Anduril’s semi‑autonomous FQ‑44 combat drone for serial production, with an initial test batch and a 150‑aircraft‑per‑year line in Ohio, marking the fastest prototype‑to‑production in
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
U.S. Air Force Advances AI‑Powered “Loyal Wingman” Drones
The U.S. Air Force awarded contracts for AI‑enabled FQ‑42 and FQ‑44 “loyal wingman” drones, targeting 150 units by decade's end to augment manned fighters with autonomous capabilities.
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 6 sources
US Air Force Awards AI Fighter Jet Contracts to General Atomics and Anduril
The US Air Force awarded production contracts for AI‑piloted fighter jets to General Atomics (FQ‑42) and Anduril (FQ‑44), targeting 150 units by 2030 and up to 1,000 long‑term, with separate software suppliedby
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
US Air Force contracts two autonomous combat drones for Loyal Wingman program
The U.S. Air Force will acquire two autonomous “Loyal Wingman” drones, Anduril’s FQ‑44 and General Atomics’ FQ‑42, to deploy over 150 units by 2030 under the CCA program.
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources
US Air Force greenlights production of AI‑enabled drone wingmen
The US Air Force approved production of AI‑driven Collaborative Combat Aircraft, aiming for 1,000 low‑cost wingmen drones to boost a shrinking fighter force amid China’s growing air capability.
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
U.S. Air Force Begins Production of First Collaborative Combat Aircraft
The US Air Force contracts General Atomics and Anduril to produce the first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, targeting 150+ units by decade’s end and a software autonomy competition.
3 months ago

[TECHNOLOGY] 6 sources
US Air Force awards production contract to General Atomics for new unmanned fighter
The U.S. Air Force awarded General Atomics a contract to produce the FQ‑42A uncrewed fighter, a modular combat aircraft slated for series production after successful prototype testing.

Sources

3back.com · abenteuerleben.ch · aereo.jor.br · aerotime.aero · airdatanews.com · airway.com.br · aktienkurs-orderbuch.finanznachrichten.de · americafirstreport.com · archynewsy.com · asiatimes.com · avioblog.it · avweb.com · businessam.be · capital.fr · charentelibre.fr · conservativedailynews.com · dailycallernewsfoundation.org · defence-industry.eu · difesaonline.it · dvidshub.net · erzsebetter.hu · euro-sd.com · executivegov.com · fr.businessam.be · franksworld.com · gizmag.com.au · govconwire.com · gzt.com · haber.aero · insidedefense.com · interestingengineering.com · it-boltwise.de · list25.com · medium.seznam.cz · migrant.org · nahala.co.il · nanotechnow.com · planobrazil.com · qatarpress.qa · rayhaber.com · runnerworld.de · sofx.com · strategypage.com · techradarpro.com · thelibertydaily.com · therugbyproject.com · ukdefencejournal.org.uk

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history