Overview

• The YFQ-42A took off from Gray Butte Airport in California, marking the start of formal flight testing less than two years after the CCA program launch and roughly 16 months after contract award.
• General Atomics’ design draws on the XQ-67A lineage with autonomy refined over years on the MQ-20 Avenger.
• The Air Force plans vendor-led trials with independent evaluations at Edwards Air Force Base and operational assessments by the Experimental Operations Unit at Nellis Air Force Base.
• Anduril’s competing YFQ-44A is expected to begin flight testing soon, with a competitive Increment 1 production decision planned in fiscal 2026 that could select one or both designs.
• Increment 1 emphasizes an air-to-air ‘missile truck’ role, with officials eyeing about 100–150 aircraft initially and industry citing sub-$20 million unit prices as the program targets affordable mass.