 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Loyal wingman. (Discuss) Proposed since July 2024. |
Collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) is a US program for unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) that is considered broadly equivalent to a loyal wingman. CCAs are intended to operate in collaborative teams with the next generation of manned combat aircraft, including sixth-generation fighters and bombers such as the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider.[1] Unlike the conventional UCAVs, the CCA incorporates artificial intelligence (AI),[a] denoted an "autonomy package", increasing its survivability on the battlefield. It is still expected to cost much less than a manned aircraft with similar capabilities.[3] The US Air Force plans to spend more than $8.9 billion on its CCA programs from fiscal years 2025 to 2029, with an additional $661 million planned for fiscal year 2024.[4] The success of the CCA program may lessen the need for additional manned squadrons.[5][6]
- ^ Losey, Stephen (2023-09-06). "US Air Force general eyes more uses for drone wingmen". Defense News. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
- ^ Shield AI (26 July 2021) Shield AI Acquires Heron Systems
- ^ Losey, Stephen (2023-05-11). "US Air Force wants drone wingmen to bring 'mass' airpower on a budget". Air Force Times. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
- ^ Allen, Gregory (August 6, 2024). "The Department of Defense's Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program: Good News, Bad News, and Unanswered Questions". Center for Strategic and International Studies. Archived from the original on August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
tirpak29marwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Lipton, Eric (2023-08-27). "A.I. Brings the Robot Wingman to Aerial Combat". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
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