The United States Air Force (USAF) and the Dutch Ministry of Defence have formalized a partnership to develop prototype Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), expanding international participation in one of the Pentagon’s fastest-moving combat aviation programs.
The agreement will allow the Netherlands to join the U.S. effort to develop autonomous aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed fighters, providing what the Air Force describes as lower-cost combat mass in future conflicts.
Under the deal, Dutch personnel will participate in testing and concept development at the Experimental Operations Unit at Nellis Air Force Base, where the Air Force is refining operational concepts for autonomous aircraft and human-machine teaming.
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The partnership also envsions open-architecture systems intended to allow allied forces to share data and operate the aircraft jointly during coalition missions.
The announcement comes as the Air Force moves toward selecting the first operational CCA design. General Atomics is offering the YFQ-42A, while Anduril Industries is competing with the YFQ-44A.
The two aircraft are currently competing for an initial production contract expected by the end of 2026.
Northrop Grumman is also developing the YFQ-48A, which recently began flight testing and is expected to compete in a later phase of the program.
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The CCA effort has advanced rapidly as the Air Force seeks lower-cost alternatives to expand fighter capacity and reduce risks to pilots in high-threat environments, particularly in a potential conflict involving China or Russia.
