US Air Force Awards Contracts to Nine Companies for Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program

The US Air Force has selected nine companies for an early stage of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, awarding contracts worth an unspecified amount. The successful firms will now compete for a prototyping deal, which could be offered to more than one company. According to Breaking Defense, the awards encompass a broad spectrum of concepts, ranging from affordable and attritable designs to higher-end and more exquisite options. The Air Force plans to down select for production awards after concept refinement and prototyping stages. This move may signal a shift towards lower-cost and more attritable drone wingmen designs, but it’s unclear at this point. Industry officials have been touting their designs as potential candidates, while engine vendors are offering solutions for lower-end propulsion.