Anduril’s YFQ-44A targets October for semi-autonomous first flight of the CCA platfor
September 25, 2025
Anduril Industries is set to fly its first Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) prototype, the YFQ-44A, in mid-October 2025, while also beginning design work on a new carrier-capable drone for the US Navy.
Anduril’s YFQ-44A to fly semi-autonomously
The YFQ-44A is derived from Anduril’s Fury demonstrator, selected by the US Air Force in March 2024 to advance to Increment 1 of the CCA program alongside General Atomics’ XQ-67A. General Atomics went on to achieve the first prototype flight with its YFQ-42A in August 2025.
Anduril has chosen a different test philosophy: the company insists its first flight will take place in a semi-autonomous mode, a more complex milestone that it believes will accelerate the road to operational capability. That requirement — self-imposed rather than directed by the Air Force — explains why General Atomics flew first.
Multiple Fury airframes are in ground testing, and Anduril says all will eventually fly, with none reserved solely for static or systems testing.
— jen bucci (@jendarhy) September 22, 2025
Why carrier-capability demands a new design
After allowing the US Air Force to pioneer the development of CCAs, the US Navy is now looking for contractors to develop a solution for their aircraft carriers. The USN has previously tested carrier-based uncrewed aircraft like the experimental Northrop Grumman X-47B and is purchasing the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone.
Naval requirements go well beyond adapting a land-based drone. Carrier aircraft must survive repeated catapult launches and arrested recoveries, endure saltwater corrosion, integrate folding wings for deck handling, and accept strengthened landing gear and tie-down points.
Recognising this, Anduril has said it will not pitch Fury for the Navy. Instead, it will design a clean-sheet demonstrator, though many of the autonomy systems, sensors, and teaming software developed for Fury will migrate across.
Congratulations to @GeneralAtomics and the @USAirForce for beginning flight testing of YFQ-42A.
— Anduril Industries (@anduriltech) August 27, 2025
This is a major milestone on the path toward fielding Increment 1 CCAs by the end of the decade. https://t.co/uirOgTUjWk
According to reporting by FlightGlobal, Anduril stated on 22 September at the annual Air & Space Forces Association, “If we were to build a navy CCA, it would probably look nothing like a Fury.”
While Anduril is positioning itself as the autonomy leader, risks remain. Semi-autonomous flight must demonstrate safe human-machine teaming and meet future rules of engagement. Carrierisation brings structural and survivability challenges that could push costs upward.
Still, if successful, Increment 1 CCAs could change the force structure of US combat aviation, providing attritable, autonomous wingmen that extend the range, survivability and striking power of F-35s, F-15EXs, and eventually 6th-generation NGAD fighters.
