F-22 Demonstrates Control Over Loyal Wingman Drone
General Atomics and the US Air Force tested autonomy integration earlier this month at Edwards AFB when an F-22 Raptor commanded an MQ-20 Avenger test drone under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. The flight used government autonomy software and a tactical data link for real-time commands, demonstrating mission autonomy, threat engagement, and team tactics. The test informs CCA selection among competing YFQ-42, YFQ-44, and YFQ-48A prototypes.
Key Points
- 1Demonstrated F-22 commanded MQ-20 Avenger via autonomy software and tactical data link
- 2Showed CCAs can perform tactical maneuvers, air patrols, and airborne threat engagements
- 3Enables pilots to extend sensor and weapons reach with attritable loyal wingmen
Scoring Rationale
Validated autonomy integration with an operational fighter, but incremental progress on a testbed platform limits near-term operational change.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
Practice interview problems based on real data
1,625 SQL & Python problems across 15 industry datasets — the exact type of data you work with.
Try 250 free problems
