Overview
- The YFQ-44A flew on Oct. 31 at a California test site, with photos indicating the sortie occurred at Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville.
- Anduril said the aircraft flew semi-autonomously and was not designed to be remotely piloted, contrasting with General Atomics’ YFQ-42A, which first flew in August from a ground control station.
- With both prototypes now airborne, the Air Force says competition is providing data to shape requirements and reduce risk for Increment 1.
- Upcoming work includes developmental trials at vendor and government sites such as Edwards and Nellis, along with operational assessments by the Experimental Operations Unit and a readiness unit at Beale.
- Anduril has begun weapons integration and plans a first live shot next year, while preparing to scale production using its ArsenalOS software and the Arsenal-1 factory with additional prototypes targeted for the first half of 2026.