Anduril’s YFQ-44A makes first flight, advancing USAF drone-wingman competition - AeroTime

Anduril’s YFQ-44A Makes First Flight, Moving Forward in USAF Drone-Wingman Competition

Anduril Industries’ YFQ-44A, one of two jet-powered uncrewed aircraft in the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, successfully carried out its first flight on October 31, 2025. The event marked a significant milestone toward deploying autonomous “wingmen” that will operate alongside human-piloted fighters.

Flight and Capabilities

The inaugural flight took place at Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California. During the test, the YFQ-44A demonstrated the ability to execute a mission plan autonomously, adjusting flight control and throttle without human input. The aircraft returned and landed under limited operator direction.

“This aircraft is ushering in this new paradigm with incredible technical precision,” said Jason Levin, Anduril’s Senior Vice President for Air Dominance and Strike. “It executes a mission plan on its own, manages flight control and throttle adjustment independent of human command, and returns to land at the push of a button.”

Context in the CCA Program

This achievement makes Anduril the second company in the CCA Increment 1 competition to enter flight testing. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems reached this stage earlier with its YFQ-42A prototype, which first flew in August 2025 at Gray Butte, California.

Key Highlights

Author’s summary: Anduril’s YFQ-44A completed its first autonomous flight, affirming rapid progress in the USAF’s push for AI-driven combat drone technology.

more

AeroTime AeroTime — 2025-11-04

More News