# Anduril’s YFQ-44A Begins Flight Testing for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program

October 31, 2025 – Anduril has commenced flight testing of the YFQ-44A, its next-generation unmanned combat aircraft developed for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The YFQ-44A is built to operate as an autonomous “wingman,” teaming with manned fighters to provide enhanced situational awareness, distributed sensing, and force-multiplying lethality in contested environments.

“Beginning flight testing for the YFQ-44A marks an important step toward practical manned-unmanned teaming at scale — validating autonomy, secure datalinks, and modular mission payloads in real flight conditions,” Anduril said in its announcement.

What the Flight Testing Will Validate

• Autonomous Flight Controls & Navigation — validating the aircraft’s ability to fly complex mission profiles with minimal human intervention.

• Secure Communications & Lattice Integration — testing resilient, low-latency datalinks that permit coordinated operations with manned platforms and other autonomous systems.

• Mission Modularity — exercising payload swaps and mission software to demonstrate the platform’s adaptability for ISR, electronic warfare, and kinetic support roles.

• Tactics, Techniques & Procedures (TTPs) — evaluating teaming maneuvers, handoffs, and operator workflows that will inform future doctrine for Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

Key Design Goals of the YFQ-44A

• Low Cost & Attritable Design — intended to be more affordable than legacy fighters so operators can use them aggressively in high-risk roles.

• Reduced Signature & Survivability — features aimed at decreasing detectability while supporting contested-airspace missions.

• AI-Enabled Decision Support — onboard autonomy assists mission execution and reduces operator workload in complex scenarios.

Strategic Importance

The YFQ-44A’s progression into flight testing advances the U.S. Air Force’s vision for distributed, networked air combat where heterogeneous fleets (manned and unmanned) operate as cohesive teams. Successful trials will accelerate integration of autonomous assets into tactical formations and inform further development across industry and defense partners.