**Location and Company Context**
AURORA, Colorado—General Atomics is set to mass-produce its collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) prototype following its first flight scheduled for this summer. This announcement comes shortly after Air Force leaders introduced new designations for these robotic wingmen.
**Production Capacity**
Dave Alexander, president of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, noted that the company could scale production to 12 to 18 aircraft per month, leveraging its existing facility without a need for extensive capital investments. Currently, General Atomics is preparing for the first flight of their prototype, while also actively manufacturing a productionized version of the aircraft.
**Competition and Future Production**
General Atomics, alongside competitor Anduril, is developing the initial version of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. Following the first flight this summer, the Air Force will determine whether to proceed with one or both companies’ offerings. Alexander stated that they are poised to enter production immediately post-flight, as they do not need to redesign or extensively tool up for manufacturing.
**Design Features and Development Background**
The CCA from General Atomics is derived from its Gambit family of aircraft, particularly drawing from the XQ-67, which was developed through the Air Force’s Off-Board Sensing Station program and successfully flew last year.
**Manufacturing History**
In 2019, General Atomics achieved a production peak of approximately eight and a half aircraft per month, a rate that has since decreased to roughly three and a half per month. To ramp up for the CCA production, the company is preparing its 5-million-square-foot facility in California, awaiting additional funding to complete the production lines.
**Funding and Budget Considerations**
Despite the existing facilities, Alexander emphasized the necessity for more funding to finalize the production setup. The CCA program is anticipated to receive favorable treatment in future budget proposals, having been exempted from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s 8% funding reallocation.
**New Designations for CCAs**
Recently, Air Force chief Gen. David Allvin announced new designations for the CCAs, naming General Atomics’ aircraft YFQ-42A and Anduril’s YFQ-44A. The designations indicate the aircraft’s classification, where “F” represents a fighter, “Q” denotes drones, and “Y” refers to production-representative aircraft, which will be removed once full production begins.
**Significance of the Designations**
Allvin suggested that this new designation signifies a significant shift in aerial warfare. Alexander noted that the new “FQ” designators would have lasting historical importance, highlighting a transition from traditional manned fighters to advanced unmanned systems in aviation.
