US Air Force Considers Assigning Bombers Autonomous CCA Escorts
Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere spoke on December 5th at an event hosted by AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies and explained how the Air Force plans to match CCAs with its new Raider. He also discussed major programs like the possibility of a mobile land-based strategic missile force and the development of the nuclear Sentinel ICBM.
Northrop Grumman touts the B-21 Raider as the world's first "sixth-generation" combat aircraft. While the B-21 is designated a strategic bomber, it is perhaps better thought of as a multirole platform that will act as a command center networked with other assets (like advanced wingman drones).
The Air Force is enthusiastically pursuing the development of CCAs as an affordable way to add needed mass and leverage the capabilities of manned fighter jets. CCAs are expected to be paired with current and future fighter jets and will be able to carry out a range of missions (e.g., scout, ISR, strike, EW).