USAF plans major CCA expansion with new suppliers and billions in funding
A YFQ-42A takes off during flight testing. (Photo: US Air Force)
US Air Force leaders say open architecture and broader industry participation will help deliver affordable autonomous wingmen capable of overwhelming future adversaries.
The US Air Force (USAF) intends to include new suppliers in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme in an effort to reduce costs and ensure the future family of attritable, affordable, risk-tolerant autonomous systems will have an open architecture with relevant capabilities for tomorrow’s warfare.
“We have competition, open standards that allow us to bring in separate contracts for different pieces of the hardware, additional contractors from the avionics to the aircraft bodies themselves and engines,” the Secretary of the Air Force, Troy E Meink, explained in a session at the Senate Appropriation Committee on 9 June.
Part of the USAF’s Next
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Country-focused updates
-
![FIA 2026: Tekever targets British Army’s Project Nyx with hydraulic-powered AR6 drone]()
FIA 2026: Tekever targets British Army’s Project Nyx with hydraulic-powered AR6 drone
As Tekever positions its newly revealed UK-sovereign, autonomous heavy-lift drone family for the British Army's Project Nyx, the company is also eyeing an international future for the capability.
-
![New teams form to compete for British Army Land Rover replacement]()
New teams form to compete for British Army Land Rover replacement
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme Light Mobility Vehicle requirement is designed to replace the British Army’s ageing fleet of Land Rovers with a vehicle with a Gross Vehicular Mass of less than 3,500kg. It could be for as many as 6,000 vehicles.
-
![FIA 2026: KAI showcases vision for crewed and uncrewed hybrid fighter formation]()
FIA 2026: KAI showcases vision for crewed and uncrewed hybrid fighter formation
As Korea Aerospace Industries sets out its two-tiered, crewed-and-uncrewed hybrid future air formation, Defence Insight analyses how much it could cost to fulfil the ambition.
-
![FIA 2026: Post-Gripen strategy takes shape as Sweden accelerates current fleet]()
FIA 2026: Post-Gripen strategy takes shape as Sweden accelerates current fleet
Major General Jonas Wikman said Sweden had accelerated procurement of Taurus missiles and Gripen E capability as its air force adjusts to NATO membership and rethinks its future combat air strategy.
-
![Baltic naval priorities shift towards mine warfare and versatile platforms]()
Baltic naval priorities shift towards mine warfare and versatile platforms
Baltic states are investing in mine warfare, uncrewed systems and multirole platforms as major warship purchases remain scarce, industry sources indicate.
