FQ-44 Unmanned Fighter Aircraft Integrated With Bombs and Cruise Missiles

Anduril has integrated aerial bombs, unguided rockets and cruise missiles onto its semi-autonomous FQ-44 unmanned fighter aircraft.

Anduril Industries said the FQ-44 has already demonstrated compatibility with a wide range of munitions.

These include 500-pound (230 kg) aerial bombs, small-diameter bombs, air-launched cruise missiles, unguided rocket pods, external targeting pods and many other types of weapons.

The unmanned fighter aircraft was previously demonstrated launching AIM-120 air-to-air missiles.

The aircraft can therefore serve as either a fighter or a bomber depending on the needs of the Air Force.

The FQ-44 Fury jet-powered unmanned fighter aircraft was developed as part of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.

It is intended to serve as an unmanned “wingman,” operating semi-autonomously, receiving tasks from a human operator and working alongside F-35, F-22 and other aircraft.

The aircraft is approximately 6.1 meters long, has a wingspan of 5.2 meters, a top speed of about Mach 0.95 and a service ceiling of approximately 15 km, although the specifications of the production version may differ.

Another advantage of the FQ-44 Fury is its rapid development.

A little more than two years passed between the delivery of the first prototype in April 2024, the start of ground testing in April 2025, its first flight in October that year and the signing of a contract for serial production in June 2026.

The FQ-44 Fury is being developed as a relatively inexpensive and scalable unmanned aircraft that can be produced in significant quantities.

Its architecture is designed to use artificial intelligence and autonomous systems to perform complex tasks with minimal direct control by an operator.