Anduril’s YFQ-44A Completes First Flight
The YFQ-44A, a jet-powered uncrewed aircraft developed by Anduril Industries, completed its maiden flight on October 31, 2025. This drone is one of two aircraft competing in the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, aimed at advancing autonomous “wingmen” to support crewed fighters.
Flight Details and Capabilities
The flight took place at Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California. During the mission, the YFQ-44A carried out an autonomous mission plan, controlled its flight and throttle independently of direct human input, and landed under operator supervision.
“This aircraft is ushering in this new paradigm with incredible technical precision,” said Jason Levin, Anduril’s Senior Vice President for Air Dominance and Strike. “It executes a mission plan on its own, manages flight control and throttle adjustment independent of human command, and returns to land at the push of a button.”
Significance for the CCA Program
This successful flight makes Anduril the second competitor in the CCA Increment 1 competition to reach the flight-test phase. The first was General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, whose YFQ-42A prototype flew for the first time in August 2025 at Gray Butte, California.
Author’s summary: Anduril’s YFQ-44A completed its first autonomous flight, marking a major milestone in the US Air Force’s effort to deploy drone wingmen for crewed fighter support.