US Air Force tests F-22 pilot commanding autonomous drone in simulated combat

Successful command integration marks early step for Collaborative Combat Aircraft program

By LineZotpaper

Published19 October 2026

Read Time2 min

The U.S. Air Force has completed an airborne test in which an F-22 Raptor pilot successfully directed an Anduril YFQ-44A Fury drone during simulated combat, the service announced. The test, part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, saw the pilot issue tactical commands that the autonomous wingman interpreted into tasks and flight maneuvers, demonstrating a key step toward integrating drones into fighter squadrons.

The test, reported by The Defense Watch, involved an F-22 pilot giving tactical commands to the uncrewed Fury drone, which then autonomously executed the desired maneuvers. This command integration is critical because fighter pilots already manage a heavy workload — flying their aircraft, handling sensors, assessing threats, and releasing weapons — making manual drone control impractical.

The CCA program envisions drones as force multipliers, allowing a single pilot to command multiple aircraft at lower cost than using all-crewed formations. The pilot could assign the drone specific tasks, such as monitoring for enemy air defenses, while focusing on the primary mission like engaging enemy fighters.

However, the Air Force cautioned that this successful test is only the first of several hurdles. The program must still determine the limits of the drone's tactical autonomy, ensure safe flight control and weapons authorization, and test performance under electronic interference and interrupted communications. Integration into logistics and supply chain — including maintenance, weapons handling, deployment procedures, and operations from forward bases with limited infrastructure — also remains to be solved.

Other nations, including Sweden and China, are exploring similar concepts of single-operator control over multiple drones, but the CCA program is distinct in its focus on air power rather than ground-based operations.

Analysis

Why This Matters

This test moves the U.S. Air Force closer to fielding autonomous drones that can operate alongside crewed fighters, potentially changing the cost and risk calculus of air combat.
The ability for a single pilot to command multiple drones could dramatically increase combat effectiveness, but also raises questions about battlefield autonomy and decision-making.
Successfully integrating drones into frontline squadrons would mark a significant shift in military aviation, with implications for procurement, training, and doctrine.

Background

The Collaborative Combat Aircraft program is the U.S. Air Force's effort to develop uncrewed aircraft that can fly as teammates with piloted fighters like the F-22 and F-35. Anduril Industries, a defense technology company, is developing the YFQ-44A Fury drone for this role. The program aims to field operational drones by the late 2020s or early 2030s, though timelines remain fluid. Similar efforts are underway in other countries, including Sweden’s autonomous wingman projects and China’s work on loyal wingman drones.

Key Perspectives

U.S. Air Force: The program sees autonomous drones as a cost-effective force multiplier, allowing pilots to take on more missions with fewer crewed aircraft. The service emphasizes that human command authority remains central. Anduril Industries: As the drone developer, Anduril benefits from continued government contracts and the push for advanced autonomous systems. The company has positioned itself as a disruptor in defense procurement. Critics and skeptics: Concerns include the reliability of autonomous systems in contested electronic warfare environments, the ethics of delegating lethal decision-making to machines, and the risk of over-reliance on unproven technology in high-stakes combat.

What to Watch

Next phase tests: The Air Force must demonstrate safe flight control, weapons authorization, and performance under electronic attack.
Logistics integration: How the program addresses maintenance, basing, and supply chain requirements for drone operations.
International developments: Progress in Swedish and Chinese programs could influence U.S. timelines and doctrine.

Sources

F-22 Raptor pilot successfully demonstrates command of 'wingman' fighter drone in simulated combat · Latest from Tom's Hardware

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedUS Air Force tests F-22 pilot commanding autonomous drone in simulated combatLatest from Tom's Hardware: “The U.S. Air Force has just successfully conducted an airborne test where an F-22 Raptor pilot directed an Anduril YFQ-44A Fury drone during simulated combat.”
SupportedSuccessful command integration marks early step for Collaborative Combat Aircraft programLatest from Tom's Hardware: “Successful command integration is just the first of several hurdles that the program must go through before it can achieve operational status.”
Not in the sourcesThe U.S. Air Force has completed an airborne test in which an F-22 Raptor pilot successfully directed an Anduril YFQ-44A Fury drone during simulated combat, the service announced.Latest from Tom's Hardware: “According to The Defense Watch , the fighter pilot gave tactical commands to the autonomous wingman...”
SupportedThe test is part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programLatest from Tom's Hardware: “The successful test is part of the USAF’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), which seeks to integrate drones into fighter squadrons.”
SupportedThe pilot issued tactical commands that the autonomous wingman interpreted into tasks and flight maneuversLatest from Tom's Hardware: “the fighter pilot gave tactical commands to the autonomous wingman, which then interpreted them into a series of tasks and flight maneuvers to achieve the desired outcome.”
SupportedThe test demonstrated a key step toward integrating drones into fighter squadronsLatest from Tom's Hardware: “which seeks to integrate drones into fighter squadrons.”
SupportedThe test was reported by The Defense WatchLatest from Tom's Hardware: “According to The Defense Watch”
Not in the sourcesThe Air Force cautioned that this successful test is only the first of several hurdlesLatest from Tom's Hardware: “Successful command integration is just the first of several hurdles that the program must go through”
SupportedThe program must determine limits of drone tactical autonomy, ensure safe flight control and weapons authorization, and test under electronic interference and interrupted communicationsLatest from Tom's Hardware: “The program needs to determine the limits of the drone’s tactical autonomy, safe flight control, and weapons authorization... The Air Force also needs to see how the drone performs with electronic interference, and how it could continuously operate if it cannot receive instructions due to interrupted communications.”
SupportedIntegration into logistics and supply chain (maintenance, weapons handling, deployment, forward base operations) remains to be solvedLatest from Tom's Hardware: “it must also be integrated into the USAF’s logistics and supply chain. This includes drone maintenance and service, weapons handling, deployment procedures, and forward airbase operations with limited infrastructure.”
SupportedOther nations, including Sweden and China, are exploring similar concepts of single-operator control over multiple drones, but CCA program focuses on air power rather than ground-based operationsLatest from Tom's Hardware: “Other nations, like Sweden and China , are also experimenting with a similar concept of having a single operator take command of multiple drones, but the most significant difference of the CCA is that it focuses on air power instead of ground-based operations.”