Just days after a U.S. Army CH-47F Chinook completed its first fully automated approach and landing with no pilot input, the U.S. Air Force has pushed autonomy further into combat aviation.
In a recent exercise, Air Force airmen operated a semiautonomous jet-powered combat drone through a series of sorties, marking a key step in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.
The test campaign took place at Edwards Air Force Base and focused on turning experimental systems into operational capability.
Airmen from the Experimental Operations Unit (EOU) led the effort using Anduril Industries’ YFQ-44A aircraft.
The exercise reflects a broader push to accelerate development under the Air Force’s Warfighting Acquisition System.
Operator-led testing shift
EOU personnel handled the full mission cycle. They launched, recovered, and turned the aircraft between sorties.
Crews also managed weapons loading, pre-flight checks, and in-flight tasking.
