Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org
The United States Air Force is planning a significant investment in its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, requesting nearly $1 billion in its fiscal year 2027 budget to commence serious procurement of these semi-autonomous drones. This request signals a critical transition for the program, moving from a primary focus on research and development to the acquisition phase, as a pivotal production decision on the initial CCA models approaches.
Detailed budget documents released by the Pentagon comptroller indicate a planned allocation of $996.5 million for CCA procurement in fiscal year 2027. Additionally, an extra $150 million is earmarked for advance procurement to support fiscal year 2028 acquisitions, demonstrating a sustained commitment to the program’s future. The specific number of aircraft the Air Force intends to purchase with this funding has not yet been disclosed in these preliminary documents. An Air Force spokesperson was unable to provide immediate clarification, with further details on the service’s budget request anticipated in the coming weeks.
Since fiscal year 2024, the Air Force has invested approximately $1.91 billion in the development of CCAs. These unmanned platforms are designed to operate as “wingmen” alongside manned fighter jets, enhancing combat effectiveness and survivability in complex operational environments. The inclusion of dedicated procurement funding in the fiscal year 2027 budget marks a significant programmatic milestone, representing the first time the Air Force has allocated acquisition funds for CCAs. This procurement request is complemented by an additional $1.37 billion in research and development funding for the program, bringing the total fiscal year 2027 request for the CCA initiative to $2.37 billion.
Before the Air Force can initiate large-scale procurement of CCAs, a critical decision must be made regarding the “Increment 1” phase of the program. The service has narrowed its options to two distinct airframes: the YFQ-42, developed by General Atomics, and the YFQ-44, developed by Anduril. Air Force officials have previously indicated the possibility of selecting both types for production, allowing for diversification in capabilities or operational roles. The announcement of General Atomics and Anduril as finalists occurred in April 2024, with the production decision for Increment 1 initially projected for fiscal year 2026. This timeline remains unchanged, setting a firm deadline of September 30 for the service to make its final selection.
The initial strategic objectives for Increment 1, as articulated by former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, aimed for the delivery or order of over 100 CCAs by 2029. Kendall also expressed an aspiration for each CCA to cost approximately one-third the price of an F-35 fighter, translating to a target unit cost of around $30 million or less. However, both these quantity and cost projections may be subject to revision. In mid-March, General Dale R. White, Director of Critical Major Weapons Systems, stated that the Air Force was exploring options to accelerate the speed and scale of Increment 1 production, though final decisions had not yet been reached. A week later, Colonel Timothy Helfrich, the portfolio acquisition executive for fighters and advanced aircraft at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, indicated that the Air Force was on track to surpass Kendall’s initial cost goal, potentially achieving an even lower unit cost.
Hypothetically, if the unit price of a CCA were to fall below $25 million, the proposed procurement funding for 2027 could facilitate the acquisition of approximately 40 aircraft. It is important to note that procurement funding typically includes provisions for initial spare parts and associated support equipment, which can influence the calculation of the final unit cost for the aircraft itself.
2027 Air Force Aircraft Buys
| Aircraft Type | Total Procured |
|---|---|
| B-21 | Not specified |
| CCA | Not specified |
| F-35 | 38 |
| F-15EX | 24 |
| T-7A | 23 |
| KC-46 | 15 |
| MH-139 | 4 |
| EA-37B | 3 |
| C-37A | 1 |
| TOTAL | 108-plus |
The substantial funding allocated for CCAs represents the single largest new addition to the Air Force’s overall aircraft procurement budget for fiscal year 2027, which totals $30.64 billion. This figure reflects a modest 1.67 percent increase over the 2026 budget, a growth rate tempered by a notable reduction in funding for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber program.
Consistent with previous years, the Air Force has not specified the exact number of B-21 Raiders it intends to procure. However, the B-21’s budget, which surged to $6.47 billion in 2026 due to additional funds from a reconciliation package, is projected to decrease to $2.23 billion in 2027. Despite this reduction, the 2027 allocation for the B-21 remains above its previous base budget levels, indicating continued investment in the strategic bomber program.
Several other critical aircraft programs are maintaining relatively stable procurement levels in 2027. The Air Force plans to acquire 24 fourth-generation F-15EX fighters, a slight increase from 22 in 2026. The acquisition of KC-46 aerial refueling tankers remains consistent with prior years, with 15 airframes requested. Similarly, the service is seeking to purchase three EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare aircraft, an increase from two in the preceding year.
Beyond the CCA program, significant increases in procurement are observed for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, with 38 airframes requested compared to 24 in 2026, and for the T-7A Red Hawk trainer jet, which sees an increase from 14 to 23 aircraft. In total, the Air Force aims to procure a minimum of 108 new manned aircraft in 2027, in addition to the unspecified quantities of B-21s and CCAs, and six smaller, hand-launched RQ-20B drones.
Why This Matters
The Air Force’s substantial investment in Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) represents a pivotal shift in military aviation strategy, with profound implications for national security, global power projection, and the future of warfare. This move underscores a growing recognition of the need for innovative solutions to counter increasingly sophisticated threats from near-peer adversaries in highly contested environments. The transition from research and development to significant procurement for CCAs is a clear signal that these semi-autonomous drones are no longer conceptual but are becoming a foundational element of the Air Force’s operational doctrine.
Operationally, CCAs are designed to fly as unmanned “wingmen” alongside manned fighter jets, performing roles that are too dangerous, dull, or dirty for human pilots. This manned-unmanned teaming approach offers several critical advantages: it can significantly increase the combat mass and lethality of air formations, provide enhanced sensor coverage and electronic warfare capabilities, and serve as expendable assets to draw fire or penetrate heavily defended airspace. By distributing risk across a network of manned and unmanned platforms, the Air Force aims to preserve its highly valuable and expensive manned aircraft while overwhelming adversary defenses. This strategy is particularly relevant in potential conflicts where the attrition rates of traditional manned aircraft could be unsustainable.
Economically, the CCA program seeks to deliver advanced capabilities at a fraction of the cost of current fifth-generation fighters. If the Air Force can achieve its target unit cost of $30 million or less per CCA, or even surpass that goal as recent statements suggest, it could enable the procurement of a much larger quantity of airframes than would otherwise be possible. This cost-effectiveness is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge against nations with large, modern air forces, allowing the U.S. to project power and maintain deterrence without disproportionate budgetary strain. The industrial competition between General Atomics and Anduril also fosters innovation and efficiency, potentially leading to faster development cycles and more agile acquisition processes.
Strategically, the development and deployment of CCAs will reshape the balance of power in the air. By integrating artificial intelligence and advanced autonomy into combat operations, the U.S. Air Force aims to outmaneuver and outthink potential adversaries. This program is not just about new aircraft; it’s about a new way of fighting, demanding significant doctrinal changes, advanced command and control systems, and robust cybersecurity measures. The successful integration of CCAs will be a testament to the Air Force’s ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving global security landscape, ensuring the U.S. maintains air superiority and global reach in the decades to come.
Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org