General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has received a production contract from the U.S. Air Force for the FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, converting the YFQ-42A prototype line into a production programme. The award marks the first order for operational aircraft and extends a schedule that moved from contract award to first flight in 15 months, with the YFQ-42A airborne in August 2025.
GA-ASI says the aircraft was already in manufacturing before the order, and that the new FQ designation drops the prototype Y while retaining the fighter and uncrewed identifiers. The company is positioning the platform as a modular, semi-autonomous combat jet built for rapid mission-system and autonomy integration.
The contract pushes the CCA effort into production and sets up the Air Force’s next procurement decisions.