Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon autonomous combat drone is advancing toward first flight as the company continues work on its Collaborative Combat Aircraft offering for the U.S. Air Force. The service designated the aircraft YFQ-48A in December 2025, making it the third CCA design to receive an official designation.
The Talon is part of the Air Force’s effort to field semi-autonomous drones that can operate with minimal direction from a nearby pilot. Planned missions include strike, reconnaissance, electronic attack and decoy operations. Northrop says it designed, built and prepared the aircraft for flight in less than two years.
The YFQ-48A is competing in the program’s second increment, following earlier contracts awarded to Anduril and General Atomics in April 2024 for the first CCA increment. Flight testing for those aircraft began in 2025, while the next round of contracts could be awarded this year.