Collaborative combat aircraft

XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned combat aerial vehicle

Collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) is a US program for unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) that is considered broadly equivalent to a loyal wingman. CCAs are intended to operate in collaborative teams with the next generation of manned combat aircraft, including sixth-generation fighters and bombers such as the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider.[1] Unlike the conventional UCAVs, the CCA incorporates artificial intelligence (AI), denoted an "autonomy package", increasing its survivability on the battlefield. It is still expected to cost much less than a manned aircraft with similar capabilities.[2] The US Air Force plans to spend more than $8.9 billion on its CCA programs from fiscal years 2025 to 2029, with an additional $661 million planned for fiscal year 2024.[3] The success of the CCA program may lessen the need for additional manned squadrons.[4][5]

  1. ^ Losey, Stephen (2023-09-06). "US Air Force general eyes more uses for drone wingmen". Defense News. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
  2. ^ Losey, Stephen (2023-05-11). "US Air Force wants drone wingmen to bring 'mass' airpower on a budget". Air Force Times. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  3. ^ Allen, Gregory (August 6, 2024). "The Department of Defense's Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program: Good News, Bad News, and Unanswered Questions". Center for Strategic and International Studies. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference tirpak29mar was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Lipton, Eric (2023-08-27). "A.I. Brings the Robot Wingman to Aerial Combat". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-25.