Eyeing international sales, General Atomics moves to build drone wingmen in Europe
The company plans to tap its German-based affiliate General Atomics Aerotec Systems GmbH to produce and customize drone wingmen for European customers.
Airbus, Kratos team to pitch German Air Force drone wingmen
An Airbus spokesperson told Breaking Defense that the partnership, featuring Kratos’s XQ-58A Valkyrie paired with Airbus-provided mission systems, is “offer[ing] our German customer something we believe they have a requirement for in the coming years.”
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General Atomics eyes European market, coproduction for CCA
Dave Alexander, president of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, said the pace of engaging potential international partners in the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program has been "unprecedented."
At first Paris Air Show visit, Anduril inks new partnership with Rheinmetall on drones, weapons
“Europe's having a moment right now. And it's really recognition of the threat, and it's recognition matched with funding,” said Greg Kausner, Anduril's senior vice president of global defense.
GE, Kratos broaden engine partnership, targeting ‘lower end’ CCA
The duo's new GEK1500 engine is set to offer 1,500 pounds of thrust and is expected to be demonstrated next year.
The F-35’s future: What new weapons, systems are coming to the stealth fighter? [Video]
Loyal wingman drones, new weapons and advanced radars all can contribute to the F-35's future.
Michigan: Arsenal of Democracy for dangerous times
Michigan’s defense ecosystem and expertise makes it a special asset for production.
CCA sticker shock: Coming soon to a congressional hearing near you?
Travis Sharp from the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments argues that the Air Force is giving an incomplete picture of the total cost of the CCA program — and that might be a problem down the road.
Pentagon considers big shifts for Sentinel ICBM, drone wingmen in FY25, draft documents say
The Air Force could cut about $1 billion from the Sentinel ICBM and add hundreds of millions of dollars for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft drone wingmen program, a draft April proposal says.
Newly branded as ‘AV,’ AeroVironment unveils new loitering munition, predicts play for CCA
The new firm's CEO told Breaking Defense the company is focused on being flexible, and delivering mass when asked.
UK welcomes new StormShroud autonomous drones
The Royal Air Force said in a statement, “In a world of increasing threat to the UK and our NATO allies, StormShroud will serve as a powerful deterrent to potential aggressors.”
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Air Force picks Beale to host CCA drone wingmen ‘aircraft readiness unit,’ begins ground testing
The service is expected to oversee a fly-off between contenders General Atomics and Anduril this summer.
Air Force officer sees options for ‘cheaper,’ less ‘exquisite’ CCA drone wingmen
“I think you'll see a range of options, from low end to potentially more exquisite,” Air Force Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel said of forthcoming tranches of drone wingmen. “I tend to think that it's probably going to be closer to this low end thing when we start looking at the further CCA increments.”
‘No smoke and mirrors’ with Boeing’s NGAD win, executive says
“We’ve been flying a prototype for quite some time,” said Steve Parker, Boeing’s interim defense unit CEO. “And we won the program. So that is a maturity stamp that I’ll give you right then and there.”
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The future of autonomous airpower: Collaborative Combat Aircraft in the Royal Australian Air Force
The development of the YFQ-42A is the first in a series of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), highly autonomous armed jets that can operate independently or with other uncrewed and crewed aircraft.