Air Force begins ground testing for CCA program [English]

Source: DNyuz | Author: Not Specified | Read the full article in English

The United States Air Force is taking a significant step forward in military technology by beginning ground testing for a new generation of robotic aircraft. These innovative drones, developed by General Atomics and Anduril, are designed to work alongside traditional fighter jets like the F-35 and F-22. The testing phase is crucial, focusing on critical systems such as propulsion, avionics, and autonomous control interfaces to ensure the drones meet military performance standards.

Located at Beale Air Force Base in California, these collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs) represent a strategic approach to modernizing military aviation. The Air Force aims to create a flexible and cost-effective solution by developing drone companions that can be deployed quickly and require fewer personnel to maintain. These unmanned aircraft are expected to serve multiple roles, with the initial batch planned as missile carriers at a relatively affordable price point of $25 to $30 million each.

The current testing phase is just the beginning of a broader military innovation strategy. After the prototypes complete their first flights this summer, military officials will evaluate the performance and decide which drone designs to pursue in the first increment of the CCA program. The Air Force has ambitious plans, with intentions to develop subsequent drone generations and expand the capabilities of these robotic wingmen in future military operations.

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