F-22 Raptor controls MQ-20 Avenger in autonomy milestone for US Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft
February 24, 2026
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has announced another significant milestone in making loyal wingman drones a reality. A piloted F-22 controlled an MQ-20 Avenger and highlighted the ability for it to receive and execute teaming commands.
GA-ASI demonstrates MQ-20 Avenger teaming with F-22 Raptor in CCA push
Yesterday, GA-ASI reported it had successfully carried out its latest Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) between an Air Force F-22 Raptor and its MQ-20 Avenger drone. This comes after GA-ASI announced it was self-funding test flights with its MQ-20 and the F-22 in November 2025.
The test was carried out from Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California and “leveraged autonomy and the tactical data link to enable coordination between the platforms.”
It showcased the rapid development of software to integrate the MQ-20 drone with the F-22 air dominance fighter using a tactical data link for communication and coordination.
The Avenger successfully exchanged messages with the Raptor. The Raptor sent autonomy commands to the MQ-20 via the Autonodyne Bashi Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI).
The F-22 directed the MQ-20 to execute tactical manoeuvres and adjust waypoints. The MQ-20 also performed Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and airborne threat engagement tasks.
GA-ASI's latest mission #autonomy demo features live engagement between an MQ-20 Avenger® #UCAV and piloted F-22 as the command aircraft, showcasing manned-unmanned teaming.
— General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) (@GenAtomics_ASI) February 23, 2026
Read the news: https://t.co/EU7jOcVlvi#MUMT #AvengerUAS pic.twitter.com/tbVTBM3kGG
GA-ASI’s President David R. Alexander stated, “This demo featured the integration of mission elements and the ability of autonomy to utilise onboard sensors to make independent decisions and execute commands from the F-22.”
GA-ASI’s YFQ-42A Dark Merlin selected for US Air Force CCA programme
The Air Force is using multiple types of drones, including the MQ-20 Avenger and the XQ-58 Valkyrie, to develop its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) doctrine and refine its requirements.
While the Air Force is using these autonomous drones as test and evaluation aircraft, they have not been selected as the service’s CCA.
The Air Force has selected GA-ASI’s YFQ-42A and Anduril’s YFQ-44 for its Increment 1 programme. Both of these aircraft achieved their first flights in late 2025.
Yesterday, GA-ASI announced it has selected Dark Merlin as the name for its YFQ-42A. The same day, Northrop Grumman announced it was calling its YFQ-48A drone Talon Blue.
The XQ-58 has been selected by the US Marines for their counterpart to the CCA programme, and Kratos is looking to build a version of it in Europe for European air forces.
F-22 Raptor set to become first US fighter with CCAs
The F-22 Raptor is expected to be the first fighter jet to receive CCAs, with the Air Force planning to have them operational by the end of the decade.
It was reported in mid-2025 that the US Air Force was planning to purchase tablet-based control systems and make needed modifications to the F-22s starting in fiscal 2026.
This covers the 143 combat-coded F-22s that the service has available; most of the remaining Raptors are Block 20 training variants.
The Air Force previously asked for $870 million for fiscal 2026 to continue work developing its CCA programme.
After the F-22, the Air Force is expected to pair CCAs with its F-35s and likely other tactical fighters. The upcoming F-47 is being designed from the ground up to operate with CCAs as a command centre of sorts.
Featured Image: US Air Force
