Army taps 5 vendors to move forward with nuclear microreactor prototypes
Up to $2.2 billion could be distributed among the handful of vendors.
Air Force plans downselect for second CCA batch next year
A separate competition to replace the MQ-9A Reaper is expected to kick off a concept refinement stage early in the next fiscal year, according to an Air Force official.
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Island surge: the Army’s Next Generation Command and Control in action
Lightning Surge exercises are turning soldier feedback on NGC2 into operational software changes in days, not years.
The sights of the Farnborough Airshow Day 2
More aircraft from day 2 of the Farnborough International Airshow.
General Atomics-ASI CEO throws shade at cost target for new drone
“I believe they put a silly goal in here for a low end [cost],” Dave Alexander told Breaking Defense. “Anybody that bids that number is very suspicious.”
In first, Air Force fires live shot off CCA wingman drone
“It wasn’t just an AMRAAM that came off,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach told Breaking Defense. “It was tracking the target.”
DIU seeks cheaper drones to carry out Reaper missions
The notice comes after nearly 30 Reapers were reportedly lost in combat against Iran.
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Project Talon Portfolio puts mission autonomy at the center of future CCA operations
Truly autonomous aircraft can make decisions without continuous human input.
Air Force picks General Atomics, Anduril to build first CCA drone wingmen
Anduril, Shield AI and Collins have been tapped to develop the autonomy system for the collaborative combat aircraft.
Drone wingmen face off at Berlin Air Show in race for German CCA
Several full-sized CCA aircraft or models are on display here, with company officials eager to talk up the latest updates.
General Atomics CCA drone returns to flight
Air Force Col. Timothy Helfrich said the response to the drone’s April 6 crash “validates our approach to accept acquisition/test risk instead of operational risk allowing us to accelerate the program towards fielding.”
Air Force greenlights requirements for MQ-9A Reaper drone replacement
“There is, I think, a burgeoning interest across the broader defense industrial base on what comes next,” said Air Force Lt. Gen. Luke Cropsey.
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Biodefense is force protection: Ready today, prepared for tomorrow
A decorated combat aviator and biotech CEO advocates preparing for novel viral threats before the next crisis.
General Atomics CCA drone wingman prototype crashes in California
The company said a mishap occurred “following takeoff” today.
Unmanned in the air and at sea at World Defense Show 2026
Middle East Bureau Chief Agnes Helou gets up close and personal with some American unmanned platforms in Saudi Arabia.
Air Force flight tests drone wingman carrying (inert) weapons, competitors reveal new names
Anduril’s YFQ-44A drone wingman under development for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program has begun testing flights with a missile underwing, according to an Air Force press release.
LongShot program eyes new target for early flight tests
The first flight test for the X-68A was originally set to begin in December of 2023, Breaking Defense previously reported.