PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – U.S. Navy aerial warfare experts are pursuing carrier-based semi-autonomous uncrewed combat aircraft that operate together with crewed combat aircraft in a new project called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
The CCA project seeks to enhance the carrier air wing's combat capabilities; sensing and situational awareness; and ability to blend crewed and uncrewed aircraft to enhance safety and extend the read of carrier-based aircraft.
Navy experts seek to enable industry to design carrier aircraft quickly that can handle a wide variety of missions, adapt to new and evolving threats, and take carrier aviation into the second half of the 21st century.
Among the latest developments in the Navy's CCA program is a contract announced earlier this month from Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. in Poway, Calif., for the Navy CCA program.
Conceptual designs
The Navy is Asking General Atomics to develop conceptual designs for a collaborative combat aircraft to support the carrier air wing of tomorrow, the company announced in mid-October.
The Navy also has awarded contracts for conceptual designs to the Boeing Co., Northrop Grumman Corp. Anduril Industries, and Lockheed Martin Corp.
General Atomics and the other CCA designers will emphasize a modular approach to air frame selection; design uncrewed aircraft that capable of being reconfigured and upgraded rapidly.
General Atomics is developing a modular, carrier-capable aircraft based on the company's Gambit line of specialized jets, with a design adapted from the YFQ-42A uncrewed combat aircraft tested by the U.S. Air Force. the company is focusing on rapid reconfiguration and upgrades to meet evolving mission needs for carrier operations.
Tell me more about what the Navy's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) project seeks to achieve ...
- The Navy's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) project aims to develop a new generation of uncrewed aircraft that can work alongside manned fighters in combat environments. These autonomous or semi-autonomous aircraft are designed to collaborate with human pilots, enhancing operational flexibility and force multiplication. The CCA project seeks to improve mission efficiency by allowing these aircraft to carry out various tasks—such as surveillance, electronic warfare, and precision strikes—while reducing risk to human pilots. By integrating with existing platforms, CCAs would enhance situational awareness, expand combat capabilities, and offer more cost-effective solutions for complex missions. Ultimately, the goal is to create a versatile fleet of aircraft that can adapt to evolving threats in modern warfare.
Boeing potentially will adapt the company's MQ-28 Ghost Bat stealth multirole uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Boeing for the Royal Australian Air Force for Navy carrier operations. The MQ-28 is designed to operate independently and together with crewed combat aircraft as a loyal wingman. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) for autonomous missions and has a modular nose system for swapping mission payloads like sensors and electronic warfare equipment.
Northrop Grumman will capitalize on the company's expertise from previous programs like the X-47B uncrewed carrier drone. Anduril, meanwhile, is developing a completely new uncrewed jet rather than adapting existing designs.
Lockheed Martin is designing a CCA common control system using the company's Skunk Works MDCX autonomy system tested with General Atomics uncrewed aircraft to provide unified mission and flight operations control.
Semi-autonomous jet fighters
CCAs are semi-autonomous jet fighters that complement and enhance traditional crewed combat aircraft, and are to be build in high quantities at comparatively low costs to enhance sensing and help keep human pilots out of harm's way.
The Navy’s CCA design will emphasize coordination among crewed fighters, uncrewed vehicles and support systems; reduce risks to crewed systems; as well as support and complement modern combat aircraft.
For more information contact General Atomics online at www.ga.com/ga-asi-selected-to-support-us-navy-cca-design-effort; Boeing at www.boeing.com; Northrop Grumman at www.northropgrumman.com; Anduril at https://www.anduril.com/article/anduril-yfq-44a-begins-flight-testing-for-the-collaborative-combat-aircraft-program/; or Lockheed Martin at www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/index.html.
