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Air Force Advances Drone Wingmen Development

February 24, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Air Force begins flight testing drone wingmen with underwing weapon.
Anduril's YFQ-44A drone starts captive carry testing with inert missile.
General Atomics' YFQ-42A expected to begin captive-carry flights soon.
Kratos sees role as 'merchant supplier' of drones to defense primes.

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Strategic Implications

This development may indicate the Air Force's growing confidence in drone wingmen technology, which could significantly enhance future combat capabilities. The progress suggests a shift towards more autonomous and collaborative systems, which may change the dynamics of air warfare and could benefit companies like Anduril and General Atomics.

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What Happened

Collaborative Combat Aircraft Progress Rapidly Through Testing

The US Air Force has made significant progress in developing drone wingmen, known as Collaborative Combat Aircraft, with the Anduril YFQ-44A beginning flight testing with a weapon underwing. The Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, stated that development teams are moving faster than traditional programs. General Atomics’ YFQ-42A is expected to start captive-carry flights soon, while Kratos sees a new role as a ‘merchant supplier’ of drones to defense primes. This development was reported by Breaking Defense.

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