In a decisive move that cements the future of aerial warfare, the United States Air Force has selected two innovative companies, Anduril Industries and General Atomics, to lead the next phase in the development of collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) drones.
This decision marks a shift in the landscape of military contracts and the advancement of autonomous combat technologies, indicating a new era of defense capabilities.
The path-breaking program, which is expected to deliver as many as 1,000 high-tech combat drones designed to complement manned platforms like the F-35, is a cornerstone of the Air Force’s modernization strategy.
Both Anduril and General Atomics stand out in a field where long-established defense giants—Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman—typically dominate.
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall highlighted the rapid progress, stating, “Now, following the enactment of the fiscal year 2024 budget, we’re exercising option awards to two companies to construct production representative test articles. The progress we’ve made is a testament to the invaluable collaboration with industry, whose investment alongside the Air Force has propelled this initiative forward.”
Anduril Industries, a young and dynamic defense tech company, aims to leverage its acquisition of Blue Force Technologies and its autonomous air vehicle, Fury, to create a new breed of combat drones.
Brian Schimpf, CEO of Anduril, conveyed the company’s forward-looking philosophy, saying, “With the CCA program, Secretary Kendall and the Air Force have embraced a fast-moving, forward-looking approach to find autonomous systems at speed and scale.”
General Atomics, with its 70 years of experience and recent success with the XQ-67A prototype, is set to bring its extensive expertise to the program.
Mike Atwood, Vice President of Advanced Programs, expressed the company’s ambition, noting, “The CCA program redefines the future of aviation and will shape the USAF acquisition model to deliver affordable combat mass to the warfighter at the speed of relevancy.”
The program’s timeline is ambitious but clearly defined, aiming for a “competitive production decision for the first increment of CCA in fiscal year 2026 and field a fully operational capability before the end of the decade,” as stated by the Air Force.
Furthermore, the program’s competitive nature remains intact, as the service ensures that the decision “does not exclude any of the vendors from competing for the future Increment 1 production contract.”
This strategic initiative is not just about fielding advanced drones but also about fostering competition and collaboration in the defense industry. As the Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter put it, the ongoing collaboration with both current and future industry partners is pivotal to the program’s success.
In addition to advancing U.S. military capabilities, the Air Force is considering how international partners can partake in the program, which could pave the way for “affordable mass at scale” and promote international integration and interoperability through potential foreign military sales.
The selection of Anduril and General Atomics for the CCA program is a clear signal that the U.S. Air Force is dedicated to integrating cutting-edge autonomous systems into its operations, thereby enhancing combat capabilities and maintaining strategic dominance in the skies.
As the Air Force gears up for the future, the role of innovative and non-traditional defense companies is proving to be increasingly significant in shaping the trajectory of military aviation and warfare.
Relevant articles:
– Anduril, General Atomics chosen in Air Force contracts, Colorado Springs Gazette
– About, ga.com
– Air Force picks Anduril, General Atomics for next round of CCA work, Breaking Defense
– Anduril, General Atomics move into next phase of Air Force CCA drone program, DefenseScoop