The Air Force’s upcoming batch of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) will likely focus on lower-cost and lower-capability options, contradicting earlier statements that suggested future increments would be more advanced. This was indicated by Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, the director of Air Force force design, integration, and wargaming, during an event hosted by the Air & Space Forces Association on Tuesday.
Current work is being done on “increment two” of the CCA program, which had been described by former-Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall as potentially more advanced and expensive than “increment one.” However, Kunkel suggested that future drones may lean towards being more budget-friendly. He stated, “I think you’ll see a range of options from low-end to potentially more exquisite,” emphasizing that future increments will likely stay closer to the low-end spectrum.
The Air Force recently announced the introduction of a sixth-generation fighter jet, the F-47, which is expected to reduce both the demand for and funding available for stealthy, advanced CCAs. The initial prototypes in increment one are set to fly this summer, primarily serving as missile carriers for manned fighters, with an expected price range of $25 to $30 million each. Discussions regarding increment two are still ongoing, including potential new mission sets like electronic attack and resilient sensing.
CCAs are intended to complement Air Force fighter jets, including the F-35, F-22, and the future F-47. Kunkel expanded the conversation to consider integrating CCAs with additional aircraft, such as the E-7 Wedgetail radar plane and B-21 Raider bomber, as well as operating independently in combat scenarios.
These drones play a crucial role in the broader Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative centered around the F-47. The service’s decision to have Boeing build the next-gen fighter was announced in March, culminating a year of analysis to determine necessary capabilities for future combat engagements. Kunkel reflected on the decision-making process, suggesting that the service perhaps didn’t need extensive analysis as the conclusion remained the same: air superiority is vital.
The F-47 is viewed as a transformative asset that enhances the joint force’s operational capacity. Kunkel noted, “The F-47 allows us to get places where it otherwise couldn’t… It allows us to counter the adversary in ways we can’t.”
The announcement of the F-47 also reflects the current administration’s confidence in the Air Force amid a significant budget restructuring at the Pentagon, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed services to cut 8% from their budgets for the redeployment of funds to new priorities. Air Force officials have described this process as challenging, yet they remain optimistic that the budget cuts will allow for a broader reallocation of resources within the defense spending framework, potentially benefiting the Air Force’s budget.
Kunkel elaborated on the positive outlook regarding the budget cuts, stating that the F-47 represents a coherent narrative for achieving victory, emphasizing that Air Force capabilities will contribute significantly to overall joint force success. He expressed hope that the 8% budget reduction would ultimately allow for a reinvestment into Air Force programs and capabilities.
