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    The Dawn of Drone Wingmen: US and China Race to Revolutionize Air Combat

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    The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program is one of the most ambitious efforts in modern U.S. military aviation. The goal is to field over 1,000 stealthy, autonomous drones that can jam radars, scout enemy defenses, carry missiles, and even strike targets on their own – all while flying alongside manned fighters like the F-35 and the upcoming sixth-generation F-47 NGAD jet.

    In this video, we break down what the Air Force is actually asking for and the five major contenders fighting to win the contract – including Lockheed’s Vectis, General Atomics’ YFQ-42A and Gambit series, Anduril’s Fury, Boeing’s Ghost Bat, and Northrop’s highly secretive Model 437.

    The Dawn of Drone Wingmen: US and China Race to Revolutionize Air Combat

    In a gripping exploration of modern warfare’s evolution, a recent video from Whatfinger News’ Military War News (above) delves into the U.S. Air Force’s ambitious quest to develop drone wingmen—autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed to fly alongside manned fighter jets, enhancing lethality while reducing risks to pilots. The piece highlights the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, showcasing prototypes like the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A undergoing rigorous testing. These “loyal wingmen” promise to transform battlespaces by performing reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and even strike missions under AI guidance. As the video underscores, this isn’t just about technology; it’s a strategic imperative amid rising global tensions.
    Yet, the U.S. isn’t alone in this pursuit. Across the Pacific, China is rapidly advancing its own drone wingman capabilities, unveiling stealthy designs that could tip the scales in future conflicts. With both superpowers pouring billions into these systems, the skies are set for a new era of manned-unmanned teaming, where drones become indispensable force multipliers. The U.S. Air Force’s CCA initiative represents the pinnacle of American innovation in autonomous airpower. Launched as part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) family of systems, the program aims to field hundreds of affordable, attritable drones by the late 2020s.
    Budget projections are staggering: Over $8.9 billion allocated from fiscal 2025 to 2029, with an additional $661 million for 2030, underscoring the Pentagon’s commitment. Key contenders include General Atomics’ YFQ-42A, a software-defined platform emphasizing modularity for rapid upgrades, and Anduril’s YFQ-44A Fury, which made its first flight in early 2025.

    These drones are engineered to integrate seamlessly with fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 and F-22, using AI to execute complex tasks autonomously while remaining under human oversight for critical decisions. Recent milestones highlight the program’s momentum. In August 2025, the Air Force commenced initial flight tests for its drone wingmen, focusing on battlespace rethinking, extended reach, and optimized warfighter performance.

    By September, early contracts for the second iteration of CCAs were anticipated within months, with Anduril’s Fury prominently displayed at air shows. The U.S. Navy has joined the fray, selecting Anduril in September 2025 to develop carrier-based loyal wingmen, accelerating designs for naval operations.

    Small engine advancements, showcased at the 2025 Air & Space Forces Association conference, target munitions and CCA needs, promising efficient propulsion for these compact yet potent platforms. A new unit dedicated to deploying these drones was established in June 2025, exploring tactics for tandem operations with manned aircraft over contested environments.

    Capabilities extend beyond mere companionship: CCAs can carry sensors, weapons, or act as decoys, all while leveraging AI for real-time decision-making. This modular approach allows for quick adaptations, ensuring relevance against evolving threats.Parallel to U.S. efforts, China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force is aggressively pursuing drone wingman technologies, often mirroring—and in some cases, surpassing—Western advancements. The Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword, unveiled in 2019, stands as a cornerstone of China’s unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) arsenal.

    This stealthy, tailless drone operates as a loyal wingman for the J-20 stealth fighter, capable of armed reconnaissance and strikes. Its design emphasizes low observability, with internal weapons bays and advanced avionics for manned-unmanned integration. The WZ-8, a high-altitude, high-speed reconnaissance drone, complements this by providing intelligence support, though it’s less focused on direct wingman roles.

    China’s rapid progress was dramatically showcased in July 2025, when new autonomous air combat drones were spotted during rehearsals for a military parade, signaling an imminent unveiling.

    By September 2025, China debuted multiple stealth drones at the Victory Day parade, including variants akin to loyal wingmen with tailless configurations and advanced aerodynamic controls. These include the FH-97A, a prototype designed for swarm leadership or companion duties with the J-20, featuring supersonic dashes and AI-piloted operations. A new flying-wing drone design emerged in September, boasting twin-jet engines and stealth features, further expanding China’s UCAV portfolio.

    The PLA’s focus on fifth-generation jets like the J-20, paired with loyal wingmen and AI swarms, aims to create resilient strike forces, particularly for scenarios like a Taiwan conflict. Developments such as the naval variant of the GJ-11 enable carrier operations, enhancing maritime capabilities. China’s emphasis on tailless designs and integration reflects mastery of aerodynamic challenges, potentially applicable to manned aircraft. Comparing the two nations’ advancements reveals a heated technological race. The U.S. excels in AI-driven autonomy and modular systems, with CCAs like the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A undergoing ground and flight tests as of mid-2025.

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    However, manufacturing lags persist; the U.S. military is barred from using Chinese drones, forcing reliance on domestic firms amid supply chain issues. China, leveraging its dominance in commercial drone production (e.g., DJI holding 70% global market share), advances rapidly in stealth and swarm tech. Unveilings like the FH-97A and parade drones position China as a peer competitor, with capabilities for air superiority and drone-led operations. Both aim for hybrid formations—U.S. F-35s with CCAs versus Chinese J-20s with GJ-11s—but China’s faster prototyping and integration could provide an edge in quantity.

    Implications are profound: In a potential Taiwan scenario, drone wingmen could dominate contested skies, with AI swarms overwhelming defenses. The U.S. counters with investments in counter-drone tech, but the race underscores a shift toward unmanned dominance. As drone wingmen come online, air combat will never be the same. The U.S. CCA program’s testing and China’s parade revelations signal operational readiness by 2030, with thousands of units projected.

    This duality—innovation versus escalation—highlights the strategic stakes. For now, the video’s glimpse into the Air Force’s quest is a harbinger: Drone wingmen aren’t just coming; they’re here, reshaping global power dynamics one flight at a time.

    Sgt Pat and Mal Antoni at Whatfinger News
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