USAF Seeks $1B for Loyal Wingman Program as CCA Moves to Production

The U.S. Air Force has unveiled its first-ever request for Congress to fund the purchase of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), marking a significant step toward integrating these advanced, semi-autonomous "loyal wingmen" into operational military fleets. The service's fiscal 2027 budget proposal includes $996.5 million in procurement funding to begin production of Increment 1 CCA systems, along with $150 million for advance procurement in the following year. Combined with ongoing research and development (R&D) investments totaling approximately $1.37 billion, the total program request now stands at roughly $2.37 billion.

This marks a pivotal shift for the CCA initiative, which has been in various stages of testing and development. Unlike traditional remotely piloted drones such as the MQ-9 Reaper, CCAs are jet-powered, semi-autonomous systems designed to operate alongside crewed fighters like the F-35, F-22, and future F-47. These aircraft function as "loyal wingmen," with a pilot in a manned jet serving as mission commander while the CCA handles navigation, maneuvering, sensor fusion, and weapons employment through onboard autonomy.

The program aims to address a critical operational challenge: crewed fighters alone cannot generate sufficient combat mass against advanced adversaries like China. By introducing affordable, capable, and numerous CCAs, the Air Force seeks to reduce risks to manned aircraft while increasing overall combat effectiveness. Increment 1 CCA will focus on air-to-air and strike missions, with plans for additional variants in later increments. The service has previously indicated a goal of acquiring 100–150 aircraft in Increment 1, as part of a broader vision that could expand to hundreds or even thousands of CCAs across multiple production phases.

The FY27 request signals a commitment to treating CCA as a permanent part of the future fleet rather than an experimental program. However, key decisions remain unresolved, including where the aircraft will be based, who will maintain them, and how they will integrate into existing fighter squadrons. The Air Force is also evaluating whether to aggressively scale production in Increment 1 or focus on advancing Increment 2, which already involves nine vendors developing prototype systems.

While the program awaits Congressional approval, international interest has grown. The Netherlands recently became the first ally to commit funding for two Increment 1 CCAs, underscoring the global recognition of this technology's potential to transform modern air combat. As the Air Force moves closer to final production decisions—expected this summer—the outcome will shape the future of aerial warfare and the balance of power on the battlefield.