The US Navy has contracted Anduril, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and General Atomics to develop conceptual designs for a carrier-based collaborative combat aircraft (CCA).
Also known as a “loyal wingman,” the CCA initiative aims to field uncrewed aircraft that can fly alongside manned fighter jets, share sensor data, and take on higher-risk missions to extend the reach and survivability of carrier air wings.
In addition to the four defense heavyweights, Lockheed Martin was also contracted for the CCA’s common control system, built on Skunk Works’s MDCX autonomy platform, which was tested last year with a General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger.
Read the full story on NextGen Defense: US Navy Taps Four Aerospace Giants for Carrier-Based ‘Loyal Wingman’ Drone Program
