Air Force Selects Fury and Vengeance for First Collaborative Combat Aircraft Effort

The U.S. Air Force selected Anduril’s FQ-44 Fury and General Atomics’ FQ-42 Vengeance for its first Collaborative Combat Aircraft procurement effort. The selection reportedly took place in June, though the year is unclear.

Key details

• The aircraft were conceived as affordable uncrewed systems that could support crewed fighters in air-to-air combat, a role often described as “loyal wingmen.”
• Coverage describes the Air Force’s requirements as moving toward more capable, higher-end, multi-role aircraft.
• The two designs take different approaches: Fury carries weapons externally and emphasizes lower cost, while Vengeance emphasizes stealth.
• Maj. Gen. Ty W. Neuman said at an Air, Space & Cyber conference in September that stealth is necessary to enter contested airspace and that the Air Force would pursue stealth assets. The year was not specified.

Neuman said stealth is necessary to enter contested airspace.

Why it matters

The two designs represent different priorities for uncrewed aircraft operating alongside crewed fighters: carrying more firepower at a lower cost or relying on stealth to improve survivability in contested airspace. That choice could shape how the Air Force develops future aircraft teams.

What happens next

The Air Force’s CCA effort will continue to test how uncrewed aircraft can complement crewed fighters across different missions. Which capability would you prioritize in a future wingman aircraft: stealth or additional firepower?