US unmanned fighter for the first time rose into the air: knocks down AIM-120 rocket planes (video)

Extend: less than two years after the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) has been launched by the United States Air Force forces, the new YFQ-42A prototype developed by General Atomics. The first flight took place at the test landfill in California and became an important step in checking the flight suitability, autonomy and integration of systems, reports Defense Blog. According to Troy Maine Minister, CCA demonstrates the possibility of rapid implementation of innovative projects.

"This achievement demonstrates that it is possible when innovative acquisitions occur with motivation in industry. In a record short time CCA has gone from concept to flight, proving that we can quickly ensure combat readiness when we eliminate obstacles and coordinate actions with the military," the official said. UAV YFQ-42A is a direct heir to the XQ-67A demonstrator and part of the Gambit's family family designed for the introduction of modular technologies and autonomous systems.

The developers aimed at creating an available combat drone that acts as a "launched" and carries weapons for F-22, F-35, as well as potentially future NGAD fighters. The YFQ-42A apparatus is equipped with a upper air intake, has an elongated fuselage, a V-shaped tail plumage and internal compartments capable of carrying AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. The last point means that the drone can be a kind of unmanned fighter.

Analysts say that the test of this device aims to create a large number of modular drones that will be able to act in conjunction with fighter fighters of the fifth and sixth generations. This approach should expand the radius of combat operations and increase the efficiency of human and machine interaction.