GA-ASI Awarded Contract To Develop CCA For U.S. Air Force

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has been chosen by the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Advanced Aircraft Division to construct flight test articles for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. This decision follows a successful preliminary design review and marks a significant step in the development of unmanned aircraft designed to operate alongside manned combat systems. The CCA initiative seeks to create a cost-effective, modular aircraft capable of carrying advanced sensors or weaponry.

In a notable achievement, GA-ASI conducted the first flight of the XQ-67A CCA prototype in February 2024. This event was a critical validation of the "genus/species" concept, an innovative approach to aircraft design under the Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing (LCAAPS) program. The XQ-67A has since completed two additional test flights, demonstrating the viability of this prototype for future production and testing phases.

Mike Atwood, Vice President of Advanced Programs at GA-ASI, emphasized the program's potential to redefine aviation and influence future acquisition strategies by providing cost-effective solutions for combat readiness. David R. Alexander, President of GA-ASI, highlighted the company's commitment to advancing unmanned air-to-air combat operations and its extensive experience in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

To further support the CCA project, GA-ASI plans to conduct additional autonomy and mission system tests using the MQ-20 Avenger UAS and XQ-67A. These tests aim to hasten the development of operational autonomy capabilities for the U.S. Air Force's Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP).

GA-ASI, a subsidiary of General Atomics, is renowned for its design and manufacturing of reliable remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) systems, radars, and electro-optic mission systems. The company boasts over eight million flight hours across its fleet, which includes the Predator RPA series and Lynx Multi-mode Radar. GA-ASI is committed to delivering enduring, mission-capable aircraft equipped with integrated sensors and data link systems necessary for persistent situational awareness.