It seems that GA-ASI and Boeing may have an early edge in the Navy’s new competition, as their respective drones are already engaging in flight testing.
The United States Air Force has reached multiple milestones with its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program this year, and the General Atomics YFQ-42A, based on its “Gambit” unmanned aerial system (UAS), began flight testing last month.
There had been speculation that the US Air Force and United States Navy would collaborate on the CCA, but Breaking Defense reported that the sea service is forging its own path, awarding contracts last week to “four major aerospace prime contractors.” Auduril and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI)—both of which are competing for the Air Force’s CCA final contract—along with Boeing and Northrop Grumman, who lost out on that contract—have each received contracts for “conceptual designs” to develop “a carrier-based autonomous combat drone,” according to Navy documents.
The report added that Lockheed Martin has also been contracted to develop a “common control,” but it appears that the aerospace firm is not in the running to develop the Navy’s actual CCA. Anduril and Northrop Grumman have confirmed in statements that they are participating in the program. The other companies directed questions to the US Navy.
The US Navy Won’t Talk About Its Drone Program
The United States Air Force has been relatively forthcoming with its announcements on the progress made with its version of the CCA. By contrast, the Navy has remained tight-lipped—largely mirroring the development of each of the services’ respective sixth-generation fighter programs.
In March, the US Air Force revealed that Boeing would build the F-47, the manned fighter at the center of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. Around the same time, there had been speculation that the US Navy would announce the winner of its similarly-named endeavor to build the F/A-XX, the aircraft that will replace the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, but it has not yet done so.
At this point, both Northrop Grumman and Boeing have released concept art for their F/A-XX proposals, but few other details are known—except that Lockheed Martin has been eliminated from the competition. Lockheed Martin, which also lost the Air Force’s contract, has since pivoted by indicating that it would produce a more advanced version of its F-35 Lightning II, incorporating some features developed for its NGAD prototype.
Drones Are the Future of the US Navy
The United States Navy has already been carrying out tests of the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray, which has been described as the world’s first operational, carrier-based drone that can provide aerial refueling as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities that enhance capability and versatility for the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) and Carrier Strike Group (CSG).
The UAS will be able to operate as a persistent, sea-based tanker, allowing a CVW to make better use of its combat strike fighters and extend the range of the US Navy’s aircraft carriers. The system has been further described as a critical component of the future CVW. It is central to the service’s strategic Unmanned Campaign Framework, where it could lay the foundation for all future carrier-based unmanned systems while pioneering the cutting-edge MUM-T (manned-unmanned teaming) operational concept.
Boeing also announced that its MQ-28 Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) has completed its flight demonstrations with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) four months ahead of schedule. The 38-foot-long MQ-28 has been in development since 2013 as part of the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS) program with the RAAF. It was designed to operate autonomously alongside a manned fighter, serving as a “loyal wingman” where it can act as a force multiplier, providing additional capabilities while also reducing risk to the aviators.
It seems that GA-ASI and Boeing may have an early edge in the Navy’s new competition, as their respective drones are already engaging in flight testing. However, since the capabilities will be significantly different, the competition will still be anyone’s game. What is clear is that both the US Air Force and the US Navy are serious about entering the drone warfare business.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image: Shutterstock / Dabarti CGI.
