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F-22 Pilot Commands Fury Drone in Historic Test

F-22 Pilot Commands Fury Drone in Historic Test

First seen 17 Oct 2026, 21:18 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •October 17, 2026 at 22:08 UTC
  • •F-22 pilot commanded a YFQ-44A Fury drone for the first time in mid-October 2026.
  • •The test demonstrated the potential for crewed fighters to direct multiple autonomous drones.
  • •The Air Force aims to have a fleet of 500 Collaborative Combat Aircraft by 2032.

An F-22 Raptor pilot successfully commanded a YFQ-44A Fury drone during a flight demonstration, marking a significant advancement in the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. The test, conducted earlier in October 2026, involved the pilot issuing high-level tactical directives that the drone's autonomy software executed in real-time. This capability aims to enhance the operational effectiveness of crewed fighters by allowing them to direct multiple uncrewed aircraft. The demonstration took place at Edwards Air Force Base in California, with the F-22 and Fury taking off together and joining midair. The Air Force and Anduril, the drone's manufacturer, have not disclosed specific details about the cockpit configuration used for this test. The goal is to integrate these systems further, with plans for a fleet of at least 500 CCAs by 2032. Previous tests have shown the Fury's ability to launch missiles, indicating its combat readiness.

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Timeline

2026-10-01
F-22 and Fury test conducted
An F-22 pilot issued commands to a YFQ-44A Fury drone during a flight demonstration, showcasing the drone's autonomy capabilities.
Interestingengineering
2026-10-16
Test announcement made
The U.S. Air Force and Anduril announced the successful demonstration of the F-22 pilot controlling the Fury drone.
Twz

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Common questions

What was demonstrated during the test?
An F-22 pilot successfully commanded a YFQ-44A Fury drone using high-level tactical directives, showcasing the drone's autonomous capabilities.
What are the future plans for CCAs?
The U.S. Air Force plans to acquire at least 500 Collaborative Combat Aircraft by 2032 to enhance operational capabilities.
Who conducted the test?
The test was a joint effort between the U.S. Air Force and Anduril, the manufacturer of the Fury drone.