Air Force Nears Major Leap In Next-Gen Engine Development By 2030
The United States Air Force (USAF) is on the cusp of a significant milestone in its efforts to …
29. July 2026
Us Air Force Unveils Drone Wingmen Plans To Enhance Fighter Jets Combat Capabilities Next Year
The Air Force’s Drone Wingman Program: A Step Closer to Revolutionizing Combat Air Operations
In a significant development, the US Air Force has announced plans to downselect a pool of vendors for its second batch of drone wingmen, also known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), next year. This move marks an important step towards realizing the program’s vision of equipping fighter jets with advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that can enhance their capabilities in combat missions.
According to Honeywell Aerospace, which has already secured a contract for the first increment of CCA, the service is currently in the “concept refinement” stage of the program, which is expected to last around 10 months. During this phase, a team of experts will evaluate nine vendors’ proposals and narrow down the selection to as many as six closed conceptual designs.
The Air Force’s goal is to acquire drones that can operate seamlessly with fighter jets, providing real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities without putting manned aircraft at risk. The program has already seen significant progress, with successful completion of the first increment of CCA, which involved partnering with companies like Anduril and General Atomics.
The development of CCA drones is poised to revolutionize combat air operations by providing fighter jets with advanced UAS capabilities. The Air Force’s plans to downselect vendors for the second batch of drone wingmen demonstrate its commitment to realizing this vision. With significant investments in propulsion systems, engine development, and drone design, the service is taking a major step towards equipping its fighter jets with the next-generation unmanned aerial systems they need to succeed.
The program’s success has been underscored by the US Army’s recent unveiling of a revolutionary low-cost drone interceptor program, which represents an important step towards developing the capabilities needed to counter emerging threats. This development highlights the Air Force’s focus on investing in cutting-edge technologies that can enhance its military capabilities and stay ahead of emerging threats.
One of the key challenges facing the CCA program is developing engines that can power these advanced drones. To address this, the Air Force is investing in various segments of the propulsion market, including a recent contract award to four vendors for engine development with thrust ranges of 1,400 to 1,600 pounds and another set of contracts has been awarded to two firms for medium-thrust engines, targeting a range of 5,000 to 6,000 pounds.
The development of CCA drones is poised to revolutionize combat air operations by providing fighter jets with advanced UAS capabilities. The Air Force’s plans to downselect vendors for the second batch of drone wingmen demonstrate its commitment to realizing this vision. With significant investments in propulsion systems, engine development, and drone design, the service is well-positioned to deliver a fleet of advanced CCA drones that can enhance fighter jet capabilities and revolutionize combat air operations.
The success of the first increment has already demonstrated the potential of CCA drones in enhancing combat capabilities, and further development is crucial to realizing this vision. As the Air Force continues to refine its concept designs for CCA increment 2, it will be essential to ensure that these drones meet the program’s stringent requirements. The competition between companies has been a success, and contract awards for the “concept refinement phase” are expected to be announced in the first quarter of fiscal 2027.
The development of CCA drones is poised to revolutionize combat air operations by providing fighter jets with advanced UAS capabilities. The Air Force’s plans to downselect vendors for the second batch of drone wingmen demonstrate its commitment to staying ahead of emerging threats and improving its military capabilities. By investing in advanced technologies like drone wingmen, the service is taking a major step towards equipping itself with the tools needed to succeed in an increasingly complex and dynamic threat environment.
The Air Force’s plans for CCA increment 2 demonstrate its focus on innovation, competition, and collaboration, ensuring that these drones are developed to meet the needs of the service and ultimately contribute to the success of US military operations.