Tech · 15 d ago
A US Air Force F-22 pilot controls a drone wingman in flight for the first time
Acting as an airborne "quarterback", the pilot sent tactical orders by data link to an Anduril YFQ-44A Fury, whose software flew the manoeuvres and simulated combat tasks on its own.
Drone wingmen planned by 2032
500 aircraft
The Air Force aims to have at least 500 of these Collaborative Combat Aircraft in service by 2032.
Each drone is estimated to cost US$25 million to US$35 million, about one-third the cost of an F-35 fighter.
What's next
The drones are due to join the large Emerald Flag exercise in December alongside crewed fighters.
What we know
- An F-22 directed a drone in flight
- 500 drones planned by 2032
Not yet
- How the F-22 was modified
- How drones fare in a real conflict
Critics warn the drones are easier to detect than stealth fighters and that their combat software can still be fooled.
