Anduril delivered the YFQ-44A Fury to the Experimental Operations Unit last month, followed by General Atomics’ YFQ-42A Vengeance last week. Air Combat Command will lead the operational testing of both aircraft.
“Putting CCA in the hands of Airmen is how we build the operational future of this program,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. “Anduril’s Fury and General Atomics’ Vengeance deliveries show we can move at incredible speed, compete, and deliver cost-effective combat power to the force.”
The arrival of both aircraft shifts the program’s focus toward direct evaluation by the Airmen expected to employ and support the capability. Testing will assess aircraft performance, operational concepts and the requirements for training, sustainment, personnel and infrastructure.
The deliveries follow two CCA milestones completed in July. Anduril’s YFQ-44A conducted an AIM-120 live-fire test, while the Air Force held its second Agile Combat Employment Exercise for the program.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Fury and Vengeance to the experimental operational unit,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “Our Airmen are excited to see what Collaborative Combat Aircraft can do.”
Airmen at Creech have begun evaluating CCA operations in representative conditions, including sortie generation by smaller teams at distributed and austere locations. The effort will examine how the aircraft can extend the reach, flexibility and survivability of the Combat Air Forces within a broader human-machine formation.
The results will inform how future CCA units are organized, trained, equipped and employed for air superiority and other combat missions. The program forms part of the Department of the Air Force’s effort to field affordable, adaptable and combat-ready capabilities at greater speed.
