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U.S. Navy Picks General Atomics to Design Carrier-Capable Combat Drone Concept

The selection advances a modular, carrier-capable drone design approach aligned with the Navy’s faster, incremental buying strategy.

Computer generated image of General Atomics CCA flying over an aircraft carrier. Credit: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.

Overview

  • General Atomics Aeronautical Systems confirmed a Navy contract to develop the conceptual design for a carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft, with no award date disclosed.
  • The effort centers on a modular platform that can be rapidly reconfigured and upgraded for operations on and from aircraft carriers.
  • Company imagery highlights the Gambit 5 as a ship-based CCA concept that could inform the design, though it remains a company-developed concept.
  • Industry reporting indicates Anduril, Boeing and Northrop Grumman are also working Navy CCA concepts and that Lockheed Martin is developing a common control system, while formal Navy details remain limited.
  • The Navy envisions CCAs teaming with crewed fighters to extend sensing and strike reach, a push GA-ASI underscores with its recent Air Force CCA work, including the YFQ-42A entering flight testing in August.