Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft Demonstrate Formation Flight and Combat Maneuvers Written 11 November 2026
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Concepts of uncrewed fighter aircraft: Anduril’s YFQ-44A (top) and General Atomics’ YFQ-42A (bottom). | Credit: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and Anduril Industries; US Air Force
Defense News reports that U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) have flown in formation and executed beyond-visual-range air combat maneuvers for the first time, using Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software during an October 26 demonstration. The article notes that the company “did not specify how many aircraft flew in formation or which CCA participated” in the exercise. The milestone follows a separate demonstration in which an F-22 pilot directed an Anduril-built CCA in flight, advancing the Air Force’s efforts to integrate autonomous aircraft into combat operations.
Full Story (Defense News)