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US-based unmanned aircraft could bolster Europe's battlefield power

US-based unmanned aircraft could bolster Europe's battlefield power
Source: interestingengineering
Author: @IntEngineering
Published: 7/20/2025

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General Atomics has initiated a project to supply European forces with new uncrewed combat aircraft based on the U.S. Air Force’s YFQ-42A prototype. This Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) will be assembled in Europe through a transatlantic partnership between General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in the U.S. and its German affiliate, General Atomics Aerotec Systems GmbH. The YFQ-42A, currently in ground testing and slated for first flight in summer 2025, represents the first in a new generation of unmanned fighter aircraft designed to enhance air superiority through autonomous capabilities and crewed-uncrewed teaming. The CCA aims to provide NATO with a flexible, affordable force multiplier that integrates seamlessly with existing and next-generation crewed aircraft, expanding mission capabilities and ensuring continued air dominance. This initiative supports NATO priorities such as unmanned-manned teaming, distributed air operations, and the development of affordable mass to counter peer threats. By leveraging a mature aircraft baseline

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robotunmanned-aircraftautonomous-systemsmilitary-technologydefensecollaborative-combat-aircraftair-superiority