The US Air Force has completed the first live-fire test of the YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), releasing an AIM-120 air-to-air missile against a digital target during a flight over the Mojave Desert.
The test marks the latest step in the service's effort to field semi-autonomous "loyal wingman" aircraft capable of operating alongside crewed fighters. Earlier this year, the YFQ-44A completed captive-carry flights with inert missiles before progressing to data-link integration trials and, now, a live weapon release.
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According to the Air Force, the missile launch demonstrated that the aircraft could execute the complete weapon employment sequence after receiving authorization from a human operator.
The service stressed that the YFQ-44A is not authorized to employ weapons independently. Under the CCA concept, the decision to release a missile remains with a human operator, while the aircraft autonomously performs the engagement within the parameters established by that operator.
https://x.com/airwayaviation/status/2077911673856299156
The YFQ-44A is one of two Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes selected by the Air Force, alongside General Atomics' YFQ-42A. Both designs are intended to provide additional firepower, sensing and survivability for crewed combat aircraft while reducing the risk to pilots during high-threat missions.
The CCA program is one of the US Air Force's highest-priority modernization efforts. The service plans to acquire hundreds of the aircraft over the coming years, with the drones expected to operate alongside platforms such as the F-35A, F-47 and future NGAD family of systems.
