General Atomics smaller unmanned jet, YFQ-42A, could start helping the F-35 and F-22 later in 2025.
The YFQ-42A and the Anduril YFQ-44A are designed to augment fighters like the F-22 and F-35 using manned-unmanned teaming, performing air-to-air roles and complementing crewed platforms.
There are full sized mockups or prototypes at air shows for both systems.
On May 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Air Force officially began ground testing for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The program, a major component of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative, has entered the ground validation phase for its two initial production-representative test vehicles: the YFQ-42A developed by General Atomics, and the YFQ-44A developed by Anduril Industries. Flight tests were planned for this summer 2025 and should have happened or will happen very soon.
The Air Force announced the selection of Beale Air Force Base, California, as the preferred location for the first Aircraft Readiness Unit (ARU) dedicated to the CCA fleet.
Both unmanned jets are not yet full-rate production units but prototypes built to near-final operational standards.
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