US Air Force Expands Engine Options for Loyal Wingman Drones

The US Air Force has awarded contracts to Beehive Industries, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, and a team-up of GE Aerospace and Kratos to mature engine designs in support of conceptual designs for Combat Collaborative Aircraft Increment 2. The awards are part of the Air Force’s drone wingmen CCA program, which aims to develop engines that are affordable, high-performing, and can be produced rapidly and at a large scale. According to Breaking Defense, the service plans to winnow down the pool of vendors for eventual production deals.