Anduril has taken a major step in the development of the unmanned FQ-44 fighter after being selected by the United States Air Force to begin the production phase of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.
The contract provides for the manufacture of an initial batch of aircraft that will be used for testing, validation, and preparation for their future integration into Air Force operations. In addition, the agreement paves the way for further orders of the aircraft in the coming years.
Originally developed under the designation YFQ-44A and known as Fury, the FQ-44 is part of the first generation of aircraft in the CCA program, which was created to complement crewed fighters with lower-cost combat drones. The strategy seeks to rapidly expand the operational capabilities of the U.S. Air Force through unmanned aircraft capable of operating alongside conventional fighters.
The company highlights that the program has progressed at a rapid pace, moving from the signing of the prototype contract in 2024 to the production agreement in 2026. According to the manufacturer, this represents the fastest transition from prototype to production for a fighter aircraft in more than five decades. During this period, the FQ-44 completed several test flights, operated with different autonomy systems, and carried out missions using training weapons.
Production of the aircraft will be concentrated at the Arsenal-1 facility in Ohio, which has an initial capacity of up to 150 units per year. Anduril says mass-production methods were already applied during the prototype phase to anticipate potential problems and accelerate the start of large-scale manufacturing. Recent tests have also demonstrated that small teams can operate the FQ-44 from bases with limited infrastructure, reinforcing the aircraft’s flexible deployment concept.
Today, the @usairforce selected Anduril for the production phase of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
We are now on contract to deliver production FQ-44 fighter aircraft to support continued testing, validation, and, ultimately, operational fielding.
From prototype… https://t.co/XsNLcS0wlX pic.twitter.com/RaVNlxsEG9
— Anduril Industries (@anduriltech) June 17, 2026
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Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @anduriltech | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
