The Department of the Air Force has decided to continue funding Anduril and General Atomics for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. These companies will be responsible for detailed designs, manufacture, and testing of production representative test articles. Other companies not selected for this phase will remain part of the industry partner vendor pool for future opportunities, including production contracts. The progress made in the CCA program is attributed to the collaboration between industry and the Air Force, as well as the investment made by both parties. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall expressed satisfaction with the rapid execution of the program and highlighted the importance of industry partnership in driving the initiative forward.
The CCA program is part of the Next Generation Air Dominance Family of Systems, aimed at equipping the force with crewed and uncrewed platforms to meet challenges. The acquisition and funding strategy for CCA involved early collaboration with operators, technologists, and industry to iterate requirements quickly. Continuous competition is emphasized throughout the program, with transparency and teamwork between industry and government accelerating its progress. Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Andrew Hunter stressed the importance of collaboration with industry partners in driving the success and impact of the CCA program on future operations.
The DAF is on track to make a competitive production decision for the first increment of CCA in fiscal year 2026 and aims to field a fully operational capability before the end of the decade. International partnerships, including potential Foreign Military Sales, are being explored as part of the CCA program to provide affordable mass at scale and drive horizontal integration and interoperability across partnerships. Planning for CCA Increment 2 development is underway, with all current and potential industry partners from the vendor pool competing for this follow-on effort. The program aims to deliver at least 1,000 CCAs, prioritizing cost-effective scalability and expanded fighter capacity at reduced costs and adaptable timelines to maintain air superiority crucial to America’s military dominance.
Overall, the CCA program represents a significant advancement in collaborative combat aircraft development, with industry partnerships playing a crucial role in driving the initiative forward. The Air Force’s decision to continue funding Anduril and General Atomics for production representative test articles demonstrates a commitment to advancing capabilities in air dominance. With the goal of fielding a fully operational capability before the end of the decade, the program is focused on delivering affordable mass at scale and ensuring interoperability across international partnerships. Ongoing collaboration between industry and the Air Force will be instrumental in the success and impact of the CCA program on future operations.
