Anduril’s YFQ-44A Completes First Flight
Anduril’s YFQ-44A, a jet-powered uncrewed aircraft, successfully flew for the first time on October 31, 2025, as part of the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. This milestone advances the competition to develop autonomous drone "wingmen" to support crewed fighter jets.
Flight Details
The maiden flight occurred at Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California. During the mission, the YFQ-44A autonomously executed its flight plan, controlled flight and throttle without human input, and returned to land following operator command.
“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.”
Competition Context
Anduril is the second competitor in the CCA Increment 1 competition to reach flight testing. The first was General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, whose YFQ-42A prototype completed its debut flight in August 2025 at Gray Butte, California.
Key Facts
- Aircraft: Anduril YFQ-44A
- Program: US Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)
- First flight date: October 31, 2025
- Location: Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, CA
- Autonomous capabilities: flight control, throttle adjustment, mission execution
- Other competitor: General Atomics YFQ-42A (first flight August 2025)
Author's summary: Anduril’s YFQ-44A demonstrated autonomous flight and control during its first flight, marking progress in the USAF program to deploy uncrewed drone wingmen alongside manned fighters.