WASHINGTON— The US Air Force (USAF) is preparing to establish independent squadrons for its fleet of collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), marking a major shift in the service’s approach to drone integration.
Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the nominee for the next Air Force Chief of Staff, revealed the plan during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing on Thursday.
US Air Force Drone Squadrons
Collaborative Combat Aircraft are semi-autonomous drone wingmen designed to operate alongside manned fighters such as the F-35 and the upcoming sixth-generation F-47.
These drones will conduct a variety of missions — from reconnaissance and signal jamming to strike operations and threat diversion — reducing risks to pilots while expanding overall combat capability.
The Air Force views CCAs as essential force multipliers that can extend mission endurance and combat reach at a lower cost.
With a limited number of pilots and aircraft, CCAs are expected to provide strategic depth, allowing the U.S. to project power across multiple theaters without deploying additional human resources.
Two major defense contractors, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and Anduril, were selected last year to build the Air Force’s first CCAs.
General Atomics’ prototype, the YFQ-42A, began flight testing in August, while Anduril’s YFQ-44A is expected to take to the skies later this month.
A New Force Structure
During the hearing, Wilsbach emphasized that CCAs will not be integrated into existing fighter squadrons but will instead form their own units. He added that the service is planning a strategic basing process to distribute the new squadrons effectively.
Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, whose state hosts the Selfridge Air National Guard Base, called the CCA program transformative and highlighted its potential to increase lethality while reducing risks to manned aircraft.
Peters expressed hope that the technology would be deployed across the active, reserve, and guard components of the Air Force.
Ground testing of both drone models has been underway since May, following the establishment of the first CCA readiness unit at Beale Air Force Base (BAB) in California, reported Defense News.
This unit will maintain CCAs in a “fly-ready” condition, ensuring rapid deployment whenever operational needs arise.
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Future Deployment and Vision
The Air Force’s decision to form independent drone squadrons underscores its long-term commitment to autonomous aviation and technological evolution.
Selfridge Air National Guard Base, already slated to receive KC-46A Pegasus tankers and F-15EX Eagle II fighters, may also host CCAs in the future.
Peters commended the CCA initiative for staying “on schedule and on budget,” calling it a model for successful collaboration between the Air Force and the defense industry.
Analysts say the creation of CCA squadrons will enable flexible deployment, independent command structures, and integration with a range of manned platforms in future operations.
Bottom Line
The establishment of dedicated CCA squadrons represents a pivotal development in U.S. air power strategy.
By decoupling drone operations from traditional fighter units, the Air Force is positioning itself for an era of hybrid air combat — one where human pilots and autonomous systems work in tandem to achieve air superiority at reduced cost and risk.
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