US Air Force Eyes Independent Loyal Wingman Squadrons

The US Air Force plans to establish dedicated squadrons for its next-generation Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

Also called “loyal wingmen,” CCAs are an unmanned aerial system that fly alongside piloted fighters instead of being attached to existing units.

They can conduct strikes, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and decoy missions to protect crewed jets like the F-35 and upcoming F-47.

Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the nominee for Air Force Chief of Staff, outlined the concept during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. He added that the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard could also form their own CCA squadrons, Defense News reported.

“This cutting-edge technology” acts as a “force multiplier,” Wilsbach said, allowing the military to accomplish more missions without adding risk to pilots or driving up costs.

Development under the CCA program is led by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Anduril.

General Atomics’ YFQ-42A began flight tests in August, while Anduril’s YFQ-44A is expected to fly soon. Both systems have been undergoing ground testing since May.

Independent Squadrons Offer Flexibility

Michigan Senator Gary Peters praised the program at the hearing, saying CCAs are “critically important and transformative for the Air Force” and will “increase lethality and decrease risk to manned platforms.”

He added that the technology could benefit the US National Guard, whose role has shifted from reserve to active operations.

Wilsbach confirmed the drones would be organized into their own squadrons and deployed alongside different platforms, including F-15EX fighters and KC-46A tankers stationed at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan.

“I don’t see why the Air Force Reserve [and] the Air National Guard wouldn’t be considered for CCA squadrons,” he said.

The Air Force also plans to set up a readiness unit at Beale Air Force Base in California to ensure rapid deployment of the aircraft.