Anduril’s YFQ-44A makes first flight, advancing USAF drone-wingman competition - AeroTime

Anduril’s YFQ-44A Completes Maiden Flight in USAF Drone Program

Anduril’s YFQ-44A, one of two jet-powered uncrewed aircraft competing in the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, successfully completed its first flight on October 31, 2025. The event marked a significant advance in the development of autonomous "wingmen" designed to fly alongside crewed fighter jets.

Flight Details and Location

The maiden flight took place at Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California. During the flight, the YFQ-44A executed a full mission plan autonomously, including flight control and throttle management without human input, before returning to land under operator supervision.

“This aircraft is ushering in this new paradigm with incredible technical precision,” said Jason Levin, Anduril’s Senior Vice President for Air Dominance and Strike. “It executes a mission plan on its own, manages flight control and throttle adjustment independent of human command, and returns to land at the push of a button.”

Program Context and Competitors

Anduril's milestone makes it the second competitor in the CCA Increment 1 competition to achieve flight tests. The first was General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, whose YFQ-42A made its first flight in August 2025 at Gray Butte, California.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program Goals

Summary: Anduril’s YFQ-44A’s successful autonomous flight marks a major step forward in the USAF’s effort to deploy drone wingmen alongside pilots, showcasing advanced autonomous navigation and control technologies.

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AeroTime AeroTime — 2025-11-04

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