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Defense technology company Anduril Industries has reached a major milestone with the successful first flight of its jet-powered YFQ-44A drone, marking a significant leap in the U.S. Air Force’s efforts to develop advanced autonomous combat aircraft. The flight, conducted at a California testing site, represents progress in the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which aims to deploy swarms of semi-autonomous drones to operate alongside fighter jets.
The Los Angeles-based defense startup, founded to merge cutting-edge software with military hardware, secured an Air Force contract in 2024 to produce a “loyal wingman” prototype. The YFQ-44A, resembling a sleek miniature fighter jet without windows, demonstrated its semi-autonomous capabilities during the test, operating its own flight controls and throttle without direct human input. According to Anduril’s engineering head Jason Levin, the aircraft can manage takeoff, flight, and even landing with minimal human intervention — “at the push of a button.”
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink praised the achievement, noting that “competition drives innovation and accelerates delivery,” highlighting the strategic importance of fostering defense-tech collaboration to strengthen autonomous warfare capabilities.
Anduril’s achievement follows General Atomics’ earlier test flight of its own prototype, the YFQ-42A, under the same program. Both companies are part of a growing field of CCA developers as the Pentagon prepares for potential future conflicts emphasizing speed, autonomy, and coordination across multiple aircraft systems. Additionally, Shield AI, another U.S. defense startup, recently revealed its X-BAT CCA drone, further intensifying competition in the space.
Anduril plans to begin prototype manufacturing in Ohio next year, ramping up production to meet the Air Force’s growing interest in autonomous aerial systems that can support human pilots in complex missions.
