Singapore Airshow 2026: CCA manufacturers eye growing opportunities in Asia-Pacific
Boeing’s MQ-28 programme director cautioned that countries which are slow to begin studying CCA risk falling behind. (Photo: Australia Department of Defence)
Companies offering collaborative combat aircraft say there is a massive potential for countries adopting the capability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Developments in collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), also known as ‘loyal wingmen’, are progressing at a rapid pace.
Both offerings for the US Air Force’s (USAF) CCA programme – the General Atomics (GA-ASI) YFQ-42A and Anduril’s YFQ-44A – conducted their first flights in 2025. In the same year, Bayraktar’s Kızılelma uncrewed combat air vehicle (UCAV) and Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat also carried out air-to-air missile firing tests.
A growing number of air forces in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to study CCA programmes to assess how they could leverage the affordability of loyal wingmen – often cited as costing a fraction of fifth-generation fighters
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Anduril marks new milestones with YFQ-44A flight tests as USAF plans further demos]()
Anduril marks new milestones with YFQ-44A flight tests as USAF plans further demos
A production decision on Increment 1 of the CCA Programme is due to be made by the end of the year, with further demonstrations building on F-22 Raptor and MQ-20 Avenger teaming flight tests.
-
![First confirmed US one‑way drone strike on Iran sharpens Pentagon UAV expansion]()
First confirmed US one‑way drone strike on Iran sharpens Pentagon UAV expansion
The US is currently escalating its efforts to acquire more than 300,000 low-cost one-way attack drones, with the confirmed use of these platforms against Iran in recent days emphasising their growing use in combat.
-
![UK MoD awards Leonardo with £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract]()
UK MoD awards Leonardo with £1 billion New Medium Helicopter contract
The £1 billion contract has secured jobs at Leonardo’s Yeovil site and will provide the British forces with 23 new medium-lift helicopters.
-
![NSPA outlines next steps for NATO’s Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability effort]()
NSPA outlines next steps for NATO’s Next-Generation Rotorcraft Capability effort
The NATO agency gave further updates on the next stages of its rotorcraft programme and timelines for the next three years, with the initiative aimed at replacing ageing medium-lift helicopters in various NATO countries.
-
![UK’s New Medium Helicopter deal finalisation on horizon, alludes Leonardo CEO]()
UK’s New Medium Helicopter deal finalisation on horizon, alludes Leonardo CEO
A potential announcement within days could end speculation around the UK Ministry of Defence’s procurement direction for the NMH programme.
