Secretive Innovations in Air Force Drone Wingman Tactics Unveiled at Nellis Base

The U.S. Air Force is pushing the boundaries of modern warfare with its drone wingman program, potentially revolutionizing air combat strategies and challenging global military dynamics.

At a Glance

  • U.S. Air Force accelerating development of collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs) in 2024
  • CCAs designed to accompany F-35s and future Next Generation Air Dominance platforms
  • Air Force anticipates a fleet larger than initially planned 1,000 CCAs
  • Program aims for cost-effective drones at $20-27 million each, a fraction of F-35 costs
  • Experimental operations unit at Nellis Air Force Base to develop CCA tactics

Advancing the Drone Wingman Program

The U.S. Air Force is taking significant strides in 2024 to advance its collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) program, commonly known as drone wingmen. These unmanned aerial vehicles are designed to work alongside piloted aircraft, enhancing combat capabilities while potentially reducing costs and risks to human pilots. The Air Force’s ambitious plans include a fleet that could exceed the initially proposed 1,000 CCAs, signaling a major shift in aerial warfare strategy.

To support this initiative, the proposed 2024 budget allocates nearly $50 million for testing autonomous software on F-16s under Project VENOM, and an additional $69 million for an experimental operations unit. This unit, based at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, will be crucial in developing tactics for CCAs and integrating them with manned fighters.

Cost-Effective Combat Solutions

One of the primary objectives of the CCA program is to create an “affordable mass” of drones to address challenges arising from the rapid divestment of aging fighters. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall noted the importance of affordability in next-generation aircraft programs.

Mr. Kendall said the CCAs should be cheap enough to be “attritable,” meaning the service could afford to lose some in combat. The Air Force aims to keep CCA costs at approximately one-quarter to one-third of an F-35’s price tag, estimating each drone to cost between $20 million and $27 million. This cost-effectiveness is crucial for mass production and deployment, allowing the Air Force to field these drones in significant numbers without breaking the bank.

Ramping Up Development and Testing

The Pentagon has shown its commitment to the CCA program by submitting a request to increase the budget by nearly 40% for fiscal year 2024, adding $150 million to the effort. This additional funding will support analyses, technology identification, concept refinement studies, and the design, build, and testing of production representative test articles.

The Air Force has selected Anduril Industries and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) to develop and test CCA prototypes. Both companies’ designs have passed a critical design review milestone, with plans to fly their drone offerings next year. After these flight tests, a decision will be made on whether to proceed with one or both designs for production.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While the CCA program shows promise, it faces challenges. The Air Force must balance the development of CCAs with other modernization programs, including a sixth-generation fighter jet and a next-generation tanker. This financial juggling act requires careful consideration and strategic decision-making.

“If we are to continue to add capability and gold plate things, we’re going to miss out on our costs and most importantly our schedule targets. And so making some of those tough trades. To say this is good enough and moving on has been a challenge, because we want a lot, but we are making those decisions,” Col. Timothy Helfrich said.

The future of these plans may change under a new administration, but the current strategy will significantly influence the Air Force’s approach to aerial warfare in the coming decades.

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