U.S. Air Force Forms First Experimental Unmanned Aircraft Squadron

The U.S. Air Force’s 53rd Wing has officially established its first Experimental Operations Squadron, marking a key step in developing and fielding unmanned escort aircraft under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.

The squadron, which had operated as a detachment since 2023, has now been expanded to full unit status, the 53rd Wing announced.

“This is a crucial moment for our armed forces,” Col. Daniel Lehoski, commander of the 53rd Wing, reported. “The Experimental Operations Unit embodies our desire to rapidly innovate and provide our military with the most advanced tools to dominate the future battlefield. They are ready to reduce risk in a simultaneous environment and deliver capabilities faster.”

The unit will be central to testing and refining human-machine teaming concepts for unmanned fighter jets, operating in realistic training environments.

“Our goal is to create a shared combat ecosystem that is more agile, adaptable, and effective,” Lt. Col. Matthew Jensen, commander of the new squadron, shared. “This will allow our forces to dominate the future battlefield and achieve decisive advantages in complex, contested environments.”

The unit will integrate with the Virtual Warfare Center and the Nellis Joint Integrated Test and Training Center to conduct advanced simulations and evaluate the intangible elements of the CCA program in a virtual environment. It will also run live flight experiments to validate simulation results and optimize tactics, equipment, and operational procedures.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program

The CCA program envisions drone aircraft operating alongside crewed fighter jets like the F-35 Lightning II, functioning as reconnaissance assets, electronic warfare platforms, or additional missile carriers. The Air Force plans to deploy more than 150 CCAs by 2029.

Under the broader Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative, the U.S. Air Force plans to field 200 sixth-generation fighters, designated F-47, and up to 1,000 CCAs.

So far, two prototype aircraft developed under the CCA program have progressed to functional prototype status: the YFQ-42A from General Atomics and the YFQ-44A from Anduril.

According to U.S. Air Force naming conventions, “Y” denotes a prototype, “F” a fighter, and “Q” an unmanned aircraft. Once in production, the “Y” is removed from the designation.