The U.S. Air Force’s Experimental Operations Unit (EOU) is working with Anduril to move the YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) from prototype testing toward operational deployment. During a recent exercise at Creech Air Force Base, Air Force personnel took on expanded responsibilities for mission planning, aircraft control, autonomy and sustainment.

Operators controlled the aircraft from multiple locations and directly supervised autonomous flights, demonstrating how CCA operations could be conducted from dispersed and austere bases while reducing manpower requirements, Anduril reports.

The exercise also featured a week of high-tempo flight operations, including multiple sorties on several days, highlighting the aircraft’s growing operational maturity. Anduril says the testing is helping establish the procedures, logistics and operator trust needed to eventually field FQ-44 aircraft at scale.

Regular exercises with Air Force personnel are intended to accelerate the transition from prototype to a combat-credible, semi-autonomous fighter capable of operating alongside crewed aircraft.