US Air Force YFQ-48 Next-Gen UAV for Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program

US Air Force Designates YFQ-48 Unmanned Aircraft in Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program

The US Air Force has officially designated the YFQ-48 unmanned aircraft prototype under its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, advancing efforts to field semi-autonomous drones that can operate with manned fighters. This designation underscores progress in the broader effort to expand manned-unmanned teaming and distributed air operations.

YFQ-48 Emerges as Next Prototype in CCA Push

The YFQ-48, internally known as Project Talon, was quietly designated as a Mission Design Series aircraft by the Air Force in late December 2025. The move formalizes Northrop Grumman’s prototype in the CCA initiative, tasked with developing unmanned systems to work alongside platforms such as the F-35 and future fighters.

Details on specifications remain limited, but service and industry sources say the design emphasizes semi-autonomous operation, modular systems, and the flexibility to carry sensors or mission-specific payloads. These aircraft are intended for strike, sensing, and electronic warfare support in contested environments where lowering risk to human pilots is a priority.

CCA Strategy and Companion Efforts

The Collaborative Combat Aircraft program aims to expand combat mass and survivability by pairing loyal wingman style drones with crewed aircraft. Early designations within the program include the General Atomics YFQ-42A and Anduril YFQ-44A, both moving through ground and flight testing phases.

This strategy fits within the Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance portfolio, which integrates autonomy, secure networking, and new acquisition models meant to field systems more quickly and at lower cost than traditional fighters.

Outlook and Broader Context

While the program’s timeline for operational fielding remains tied to further testing and evaluation, the YFQ-48 designation marks a clear step toward expanding unmanned combat roles. Similar efforts by other nations in manned-unmanned teaming reflect a global shift in airpower concepts.