Full-scale model of autonomous, expendable fighter plane unveiled
Giving a preview of the future of military aircraft, General Atomics unveiled a full-scale mock-up of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), which is an autonomous warplane designed to augment air forces with cheaper, expendable robotic fighters.
The mock-up was the centerpiece at General Atomics' display at this year's Air Force Association (AFA) Air, Space & Cyber Conference in Washington, DC and illustrates a major focus of the next generation of fighter planes. The autonomous subsonic aircraft is being developed as part of the US Air Force's CCA program and is based on the company's XQ-67A prototype.
The purpose of the CCA is manyfold, though it is focused on a number of basic problems facing modern air forces. In essence, the CCA and similar aircraft are being developed to change the role of a fighter pilot from someone who flies an aircraft, monitors its sensors, and fires its weapons to someone who acts more like a squadron commander, with the piloted plane accompanied by several autonomous ones that act as sensor or weapon platforms.
These robotic wingmen would fly themselves and would move ahead of the command plane. They would even act in concert, deciding between themselves how to complete their mission or deal with hostile forces.