F‑22 pilot commands YFQ‑44A Fury unmanned aircraft in first collaborative combat test
Written by AI from 1 report listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI
In early October 2026 an F‑22A Raptor pilot acted as an airborne “quarterback,” issuing high‑level tactical directives to a YFQ‑44A Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft, which then executed the commands with its autonomy software to perform dynamic flight maneuvers and simulated combat tasks.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach said the flight demonstrates the power of crewed‑uncrewed teaming, and the U.S. Air Force confirmed the F‑22 is the threshold platform for the CCA program, with integration with F‑16s, F‑35As, F‑15Es and F‑15EXs under consideration; the demonstration also involved personnel from the 412th Test Wing, 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, 309th Software Engineering Group, Experimental Operations Unit, the F‑22 System Program Office and the CCA Software Autonomy and Teaming Branch.