Defense giants Boeing, General Atomics, Anduril, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Airbus are accelerating the development of AI-powered combat drones for the US Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, aiming for widespread deployment by the mid-2030s.
Swedish firm Saab and US company General Atomics have successfully tested an MQ-9B drone equipped with Saab's LoyalEye radar, a potential step towards drone-based Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) capability. This technology aims to offer persistent surveillance at lower costs than traditional AWACS aircraft.
The US Air Force has awarded the first increment contract for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, selecting General Atomics' FQ-42 and Anduril's FQ-44 for production. These unmanned aircraft will integrate with crewed fighters to extend reach and survivability in contested environments.
