YFQ-44A
Anduril Industries · United States · also known as Fury, YFQ-44 · Updated
YFQ-44A, also marketed by Anduril Industries as Fury, is a semi-autonomous jet-powered combat drone built for the US Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Increment 1 programme, first flown on 31 October 2025. It is designed to operate alongside crewed fighters as a "loyal wingman," taking on air-to-air and strike roles under reduced human control.
Overview
The aircraft's design traces back to work by Blue Force Technologies on an aggressor-drone concept in the late 2010s; Anduril acquired Blue Force Technologies in 2023 and developed it into the CCA entrant now designated YFQ-44A. The US Air Force selected Anduril, alongside General Atomics and its competing YFQ-42A, for the CCA Increment 1 programme in April 2024. The YFQ-44A made its first flight at Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California, on 31 October 2025, with two L-29 Delfin jets flying chase. In June 2026 the Air Force awarded Anduril a production contract alongside General Atomics, with a combined 150 aircraft planned between the two types by 2030.
The Air Force's Experimental Operations Unit, working with the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, has flown test sorties with the YFQ-44A, launching, recovering and loading weapons on the aircraft using ruggedized laptops rather than a traditional remote-pilot station. Anduril has said a key goal of the programme is validating autonomous operation without a human "stick and throttle" pilot behind the scenes, and has targeted a first live weapon firing in 2026.
Design and capabilities
The YFQ-44A is about 20 ft (6.1 m) long with a 17 ft (5.18 m) wingspan and a maximum take-off weight of about 5,000 lb (2,268 kg), powered by a single Williams FJ44-4M turbofan rated at 4,000 lbf (18 kN) of thrust. It has a service ceiling of about 50,000 ft (15,000 m) and a top speed given as Mach 0.95. Anduril builds the aircraft for low-cost, high-volume manufacturing at its Arsenal-1 facility near Columbus, Ohio, intending it for manned-unmanned teaming with fifth- and sixth-generation crewed fighters.
Frequently asked questions
When did the YFQ-44A first fly?
On 31 October 2025, at Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, California.
Is the YFQ-44A the same as Fury?
Yes. Anduril markets the aircraft as Fury; YFQ-44A is its US Air Force designation.
Who flies the YFQ-44A?
It is operated by the US Air Force under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme, with semi-autonomous flight rather than a traditional remote pilot.
What is the YFQ-44A's competitor?
General Atomics' YFQ-42A, the other CCA Increment 1 design selected for production alongside the YFQ-44A.
How fast is the YFQ-44A?
It is reported to reach about Mach 0.95, with a service ceiling of roughly 50,000 ft (15,000 m).
