The American robot fighter took off without a pilot - the YFQ—42A is already flying alone

The first flight of the YFQ-42A is not just a test, but a breakthrough

The US Air Force, together with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, has made a breakthrough: the YFQ-42A fighter-robot took to the air for the first time. This was not just the launch of another drone, but the first flight of a fully—fledged autonomous combat vehicle developed under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. Moreover, the transition from blueprints to takeoff took record time — a signal that the Air Force is serious about robotizing the sky.

Now the car begins to learn to fly not just on command, but by itself.

How does a fighter jet work without a crew

The YFQ-42A is not the kind of drone that circles the battlefield with a camera. It is a full-fledged combat aircraft capable of flying at supersonic speeds, maneuvering, carrying weapons and making decisions. It is equipped with artificial intelligence, which allows it to operate in semi-autonomous mode: the pilot on the ground or in an accompanying fighter gives orders, and the drone calculates the trajectory, avoids threats and chooses the moment to attack.

Sometimes he even flies completely on his own — without human intervention.

The US Air Force wants 1,000 of these drones.

The plan is large-scale: The Air Force plans to create a fleet of 1,000 autonomous aircraft. This is not a replacement for the F-35 or F-22 — these are their "partners". Imagine: one pilot controls a whole group of drones that go forward, scout, distract the air defense, and, if necessary, sacrifice themselves to save the manned aircraft.

YFQ-42A is one of the two finalists of the CCA program. The second one is the YQ-44A from Anduril. The winner will receive a serial production contract.

From a companion to an independent fighter

Previously, drones were like servants — they carried out commands. Now they are becoming partners. The YFQ-42A can not only fly in formation, but also make decisions: where to turn, when to attack, how to get away from the missile. It's not fiction — it's already working.

The U.S. Air Force understands that the future belongs to those who can control not just one aircraft, but an entire network. And the YFQ-42A is the first step towards this new war in the sky.

Sources

1. Topwar.ru — progress on loyal wingman CCA for USAF
2. Amalantra.ru — YFQ-42A & YFQ-44A overview
3. Gazeta Metro — first official image & USAF general comments
4. Obozrevatel.com — functional YFQ-42 prototype photos
5. Meta-Défense.fr — comparative analysis YFQ-42A vs YFQ-44A
6. WTFTime.ru — first look at YFQ-42A fighter-UCAV prototype
7. Building-Tech.org — USAF presents first UCAVs able to team with manned aircraft
8. Zhihu — performance & design discussion (CN)

China is preparing to display new combat drones at a military parade

Before the upcoming major military parade in Beijing, the first footage and data on China's new combat drones have appeared. At least five different models of unmanned aerial vehicles belonging to the loyal wingman class are visible on satellite images and in training footage. These vehicles are similar to what the US Air Force designates as joint combat aircraft (CCA — Collaborative Combat Aircraft).

The new Chinese drones are characterized by low visibility, autonomy and the ability to operate in close cooperation with manned fighter jets. They are designed to perform a wide range of tasks, from reconnaissance and electronic jamming to strikes against ground and air targets.

It is expected that some of the models presented at the parade may be advanced unmanned combat aircraft (UCAV) with increased autonomy, including the ability to make decisions in the air without constant operator control. At the same time, they retain the ability to accompany and support manned aircraft, enhancing their combat effectiveness.

The demonstration of such technologies highlights China's desire to reduce the technological gap between leading countries in the field of advanced aviation and artificial intelligence. The display of the new UCAVs at the parade is not just a spectacular event, but a signal of China's readiness to move to a new level of digital and autonomous aerial warfare.

France will present the future Dassault Aviation combat drone at the Paris Air Show

The French Air Force is preparing to present its new advanced combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the upcoming Paris Air Show. The developer of this innovative platform is Dassault Aviation, which will demonstrate a model of the future drone as part of a static exhibition.

The project was officially announced in October 2024, when French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecorny presented a detailed plan to put the new combat capability into operation by 2033. This UAV will become a key element of the modernization of the French Air Force, providing enhanced reconnaissance, precision strikes and complex combat missions without risk to pilots.

The project reflects France's desire to maintain technological leadership in the field of military aviation and adapt to modern challenges associated with the development of unmanned systems and autonomous combat platforms. It is expected that the new UAV will be integrated with existing and future weapons systems, providing a high degree of autonomy, maneuverability and stealth.

The Paris Air Show will become an important platform for demonstrating the achievements of the French defense industry and attracting international attention to the prospects for the development of unmanned aircraft in Europe.

General Atomics presents the "brain" of the future combat drone: meet the Quadratix

  

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has unveiled its new software platform Quadratix, which will become the central control element for unmanned fighter aircraft in the framework of promising military programs, including the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. This system is positioned as a universal "brain" for drones — a multifunctional platform capable of managing missions, processing data and ensuring interaction in complex networks.

Quadratix is compared to Adobe Suite for Combat Operations: it combines various software solutions developed earlier within the company into a single integrated system. This approach makes it possible to significantly improve the control efficiency of unmanned aerial vehicles, especially in conditions of high saturation of the information space and counteraction from the enemy.

The creation of Quadratix was made possible by more than 30 years of General Atomics experience in the field of operation and development of unmanned systems, including the legendary MQ-9 Reaper, which is used worldwide in various operations — from reconnaissance to strike missions. Now this experience has formed the basis of a new generation of autonomous aircraft controlled through a single software.

During the development, special attention was paid to scalability and the open architecture of the system, which allows integrating new technologies and algorithms as they become available. This makes Quadratix not just a management platform, but a flexible and adaptable solution for future combat missions.

Thus, Quadratix marks an important step forward in the creation of autonomous aerial systems that can operate both independently and in close cooperation with manned aircraft, forming a new era in military aviation.

The new Virtus combat drone: a technological breakthrough by the German company Stark

 

 Virtus combat drone

 German defense firm Stark has officially unveiled the specifications of its new Virtus combat drone, which promises to be a revolutionary solution for modern battlefields. Developed based on real combat experience, this barrage munition combines innovative technology and adaptability to the dynamic conditions of modern warfare.

One of the key features of Virtus is its electrical vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) system, which represents a significant technological advance in the world of barrage munitions. Thanks to this system, the drone can quickly deploy in difficult conditions without requiring a special infrastructure to launch.

Stark claims that Virtus is able to effectively combine speed modes to perform various tasks. In cruise mode, the drone can reach speeds of up to 74 mph (120 km/h), which allows it to stay in the air for a long time and carry out reconnaissance missions. However, if necessary, it can switch to high-speed dives at speeds up to 155 miles per hour (250 km/h), making it a deadly weapon against targets on the ground.

The company emphasizes that Virtus is designed to meet the changing demands of modern military operations. Its flexibility, accuracy and autonomy allow the drone to be used both for striking ground targets, as well as for reconnaissance and surveillance. This makes it a versatile tool for armies seeking to increase their combat effectiveness.

Experts note that the appearance of Virtus can significantly affect the arms market, offering an alternative to traditional solutions in the field of barrage ammunition. The technological excellence and adaptability of the drone can make it in demand among countries interested in modernizing their armed forces.