What Happened
Navy Issues Request For Information On Next-Gen Carrier Aircraft
The US Navy has issued a request for information (RFI) for autonomous combat aircraft capable of launching from aircraft carriers and carrying up to 10,000 pounds of externally mounted weapons. The Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program aims to provide the Carrier Air Wing with lethal, survivable, and persistent platforms. The proposed aircraft would operate autonomously alongside crewed aircraft, increasing the reach and weapons capacity of carrier air wings. The RFI outlines specific requirements, including compatibility with both Gerald R. Ford-class and Nimitz-class carriers, and an affordability target of $30 million per aircraft. According to AeroTime, several major manufacturers have already conducted conceptual work on potential Navy CCA designs.