Anduril’s YFQ-44A Begins Flight Testing
Anduril has started flight tests for the YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), a semi-autonomous air platform created in collaboration with the US Air Force to secure air superiority in contested zones. The YFQ-44A is built to operate alongside manned aircraft or independently, leveraging autonomy to boost survivability, lethality, and mission success.
Autonomy and Capabilities
The YFQ-44A differs from remotely piloted drones by functioning semi-autonomously from its very first flight, handling mission execution, throttle, and flight controls without needing real-time human input.
“Flight testing is where we prove to ourselves, to the Air Force, to our allies, and to our adversaries that these proclamations about game-changing technology go beyond words,” said Jason Levin, SVP of Engineering, Air Dominance & Strike.
“Our aircraft is ushering in this new paradigm with incredible technical precision: 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,” Levin added.
Software and Combat Functionality
The aircraft features a fully autonomous software system capable of processing combat data, identifying targets, and issuing commands in real time. Additionally, it manages logistics and sustainment operations on the ground.
“In short, YFQ-44A’s autonomy is what makes it more than just a flying machine, but one that’s ready to fight," Levin stated.
Summary
The YFQ-44A marks a major step forward in autonomous combat aviation, combining advanced software and hardware to perform complex missions with minimal human control.