YFQ-42A
The U.S. Air Force's prototype uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft from General Atomics — a semi-autonomous loyal wingman designed to team with F-22, F-35 and future fighters, and one of two contenders for the CCA Increment 1 production decision.
The United States Air Force's prototype uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft — a semi-autonomous loyal wingman built by General Atomics, intended to fly alongside crewed fighters as the first operational CCA Increment 1 type.
Overview
The YFQ-42A “Dark Merlin” is a fighter-class, uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft Increment 1 programme. Designed from the outset as a production-representative loyal wingman, it is intended to operate in manned-unmanned teams with F-22, F-35 and the future Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter, executing air-to-air and strike missions under the direction of a crewed pilot. The aircraft is one of two prototypes selected in April 2024 for a competitive production decision due before the end of fiscal year 2026.
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- Development
- Design & capabilities
- Combat record / operational use
- Advantages
- Drawbacks / limitations
- Counterparts
- Outlook
- Key specifications
- Sources
- Analyst Section
- Procurement & contracts
- Suppliers & related companies
- Comparable systems — analyst view
- Analyst note