US Air Force operational crews from the Experimental Operations Unit flew and maintained Anduril Industries’ YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone during sorties at Edwards Air Force Base last week. This marked the first time warfighters, rather than engineers or test pilots, fully handled the semi-autonomous drone from mission planning to execution.
The exercise, conducted April 5-12, simulated forward operating base conditions in a contested environment. EOU Airmen used a ruggedized laptop with Anduril’s Menace-T system to upload plans, initiate autonomous taxi and takeoff, issue in-flight commands, and manage post-flight data—without large fixed infrastructure.
Working with the 412th Test Wing, crews refined critical operational and logistical procedures for CCA deployment. The high-tempo sorties tested processes essential for sustaining regular testing and future combat operations, advancing the Air Force’s rapid acquisition strategy.
This milestone accelerates delivery of combat-ready CCAs, designed as loyal wingmen for fighters like the F-35 and NGAD platforms. The service aims for operational capability by 2030, procuring around 100 Increment 1 drones from Anduril and General Atomics to achieve affordable mass and enhance air dominance through added volume, sensors, jamming, and weapons carriage.
EOU commander Lt. Col. Matthew Jensen emphasized the warfighter-led approach, with plans for CCA integration into major exercises soon. Such hands-on testing validates minimal logistics footprints, enabling scalable force multiplication in high-threat scenarios.