Air Force Seeks Nearly $1 Billion to Launch Collaborative Combat Aircraft Fleet

The United States Air Force is requesting approximately $1 billion in its fiscal year 2027 budget proposal to begin the formal procurement of Collaborative Combat Aircraft. This funding request marks a significant milestone for the program, signaling its transition from development into full-scale production. These semi-autonomous drones are designed to serve as loyal wingmen for manned fifth- and sixth-generation fighters, performing high-risk missions such as intelligence gathering and offensive strikes. By integrating these systems into the broader Next-Generation Air Dominance family, the military aims to expand its aerial capabilities while maintaining a more cost-effective fleet compared to traditional manned aircraft.

The proposed $996.5 million investment covers the first batch of Increment 1 drones, with additional research and development funds totaling $1.3 billion requested to support future iterations of the technology. While the exact number of units remains undisclosed, analysts suggest the budget could support the acquisition of roughly 30 aircraft as the service scales toward its goal of fielding over 100 drones by 2029. With major contractors like General Atomics and Anduril already conducting flight tests on prototypes, the Air Force plans to finalize its production strategy by the end of 2026. As the program evolves, officials are increasingly focused on creating affordable, attritable platforms that can be rapidly deployed to maintain air superiority.