26. February 2026
Colonel Helfrich Unveils Historic Milestone As Drone Flies With Dual Mission Systems Over Aurora
The skies above Aurora, Colorado, witnessed a groundbreaking event on February 24th when Anduril Industries’ YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft flew with two different mission software systems during the same flight. This unprecedented feat marked a significant milestone in the development of autonomous drone technology and highlights the Air Force’s commitment to innovation and experimentation.
Col. Timothy Helfrich, portfolio acquisition executive for fighters and advanced aircraft, revealed that Anduril took off with one mission autonomy system, Shield AI, and then switched to its own Lattice for Mission Autonomy software stack mid-flight. This seamless transition demonstrated the potential of autonomous drone technology in complex mission scenarios.
The YFQ-44A is part of the CCA program, a joint effort between the Air Force and industry partners to develop advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The program aims to create a fleet of drones that can operate alongside manned fighter jets, providing enhanced situational awareness and real-time intelligence. Mission autonomy software controls how a drone executes complex actions when given basic directions from a pilot in a manned aircraft.
The flight testing and development process has been a remarkable journey, with Jason Levin, Anduril’s senior vice president of engineering for air dominance and strike, noting that the time interval between “clean-sheet design to wheels-up” was 556 days – faster than any major fighter aircraft program in recent history. The dedication and commitment of the team at Anduril have been instrumental in achieving this milestone.
The Air Force has established an Autonomy-Government Reference Architecture (GRA), which separates flight from mission autonomy and provides a common standard for contractors to develop their own mission software. By doing so, the Air Force can make updates quickly without jeopardizing the safety and airworthiness of the aircraft.
“The autonomy GRA has proven out that we’re able to make changes very quickly,” Helfrich explained. “We’re setting up the structure of the program to be able to respond and integrate with the operator every single day. And so what you get on day one, that’s just the first step. You’re going to keep getting better and better.”
The Air Force plans to make a production decision on both the aircraft and the autonomy mission software for Increment 1 of the CCA program in 2026. This milestone is expected to mark a significant turning point in the development of autonomous drone technology, as it will determine which companies will receive funding to advance their designs.
Anduril’s emphasis on its semi-autonomous first flight approach differs from General Atomics, which is also competing for Increment 1 of the CCA program. While both companies are developing drones that can operate alongside manned fighter jets, Anduril’s focus on autonomous systems sets it apart in the competitive landscape.
The Air Force has consistently left open the door to carrying both Anduril and General Atomics into the production phase of the CCA program. An Increment 2 phase is expected to be launched in 2026, which will be open to other airframe companies not selected in Increment 1.
As the development of autonomous drone technology continues to advance, it’s clear that the Air Force is committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. The success of Anduril’s YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft demonstrates the potential for autonomous systems to revolutionize the way we operate in combat scenarios.
The future of autonomous drone technology holds much promise, with significant potential rewards for increased situational awareness, real-time intelligence, and enhanced combat capabilities. The success of Anduril’s YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft marks an important step forward in this journey, demonstrating the potential for autonomous systems to transform the way we operate in combat scenarios.
The Autonomous Systems Act of 2020 has been instrumental in driving innovation and investment in autonomous systems, including drones. The act provides a framework for the development and deployment of autonomous systems, including funding for research and development, testing, and integration.
In conclusion, Anduril’s achievement marks an important milestone in the development of autonomous drone technology. The success of the YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft demonstrates the potential for autonomous systems to revolutionize the way we operate in combat scenarios. As the Air Force continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible, it will be essential to monitor progress closely and provide continued support and investment.
The development of autonomous drone technology is a complex and challenging task that requires significant resources and expertise. However, the potential rewards are substantial – increased situational awareness, real-time intelligence, and enhanced combat capabilities. The success of Anduril’s YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft marks an important step forward in this journey.
The Air Force has demonstrated its commitment to innovation and experimentation through the success of Anduril’s YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft. This achievement marks an important milestone in the development of autonomous drone technology, highlighting the potential for this technology to revolutionize the way we operate in combat scenarios.
As the CCA program continues to evolve, it will be essential to monitor progress closely and provide continued support and investment. The future of autonomous drone technology holds much promise, with significant potential rewards for increased situational awareness, real-time intelligence, and enhanced combat capabilities.
The success of Anduril’s YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft marks an important milestone in the development of autonomous drone systems.