US Promotes YFQ-42A Unmanned Fighter Jet for Europe, Offers Local Production

General Atomics plans to localize production of its YFQ-42A unmanned fighter jet at its German subsidiary as part of an effort to promote the aircraft to European militaries.

The company announced this in a press release.

The drone is based on the YFQ-42A, which was developed for the U.S. Air Force and is currently undergoing ground testing. Its first flight is scheduled for late summer.

General Atomics Aerotec Systems GmbH (GA-ATS) will handle the production in Europe. The company’s German aerospace division is headquartered in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich.

“We’re eager to combine our uncrewed aircraft system expertise with the airborne sensor and weapons system expertise of the European defense industry, starting with our own affiliate GA Aerotec Systems GmbH in Germany,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue.

The YFQ-42A was first shown publicly in May 2025, when Gen. David Allvin, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, released a photo of the prototype.

Allvin first mentioned the drone’s name in a speech at the AFA Warfare Symposium on March 3, where he also revealed the existence of two prototypes: General Atomics’ YFQ-42A and Anduril’s YFQ-44A.

Anduril is also targeting the European market with its YFQ-44A. In June, Rheinmetall and Anduril announced a partnership to co-develop cruise missiles, drones, and solid-fuel rocket engines for Europe.

The collaboration covers Barracuda-family cruise missiles and the YFQ-44 jet-powered combat drone, which will be adapted to meet European defense requirements.

Both the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A are being developed under the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The drones are intended to fly alongside manned fighters such as the F-35, serving as autonomous wingmen.

The U.S. plans to acquire 100 to 150 CCAs in the program’s first phase, with a long-term goal of at least 1,000 UAVs. The first aircraft are expected to enter service by the end of the decade.

Each drone control kit is estimated to cost about $86,000.