Anduril’s YFQ-44A begins flight testing after 556 days, advancing U.S. Air Force autonomy efforts - Defence Industry Europe

Anduril’s YFQ-44A Begins Flight Testing, Advancing U.S. Air Force Autonomy

Anduril has started flight testing of its YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), a semi-autonomous air platform developed in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force to enhance air superiority in contested environments. This aircraft is capable of operating both with and without crewed aircraft, using autonomous systems to boost survivability, lethality, and mission success.

Autonomous Flight Capabilities

The YFQ-44A performs semi-autonomous operations from the moment of its first flight, handling mission execution, throttle, and flight control without requiring real-time human input.

“Flight testing is where we prove to ourselves, to the Air Force, to our allies, and to our adversaries that these proclamations about game-changing technology go beyond words,” said Jason Levin, Senior Vice President of Engineering, Air Dominance & Strike.
“Our aircraft is ushering in this new paradigm with incredible technical precision: it executes a mission plan on its own, manages flight control and throttle adjustment independent of human command, and returns to land at the push of a button,” Levin added.

Advanced Autonomous Software

The aircraft integrates a fully autonomous software system that processes combat data, detects targets, and executes commands in real time. Additionally, it manages logistics and maintenance on the ground to sustain operations effectively.

“In short, YFQ-44A’s autonomy is what makes it more than just a flying machine, but one that’s ready to fight," Levin stated.

Summary

The YFQ-44A represents a significant leap in autonomous combat aircraft technology, enabling effective mission execution with minimal human intervention and supporting the Air Force’s strategic goals.

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Defence Industry Europe Defence Industry Europe — 2025-11-04

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