Loyal wingman drone, also referred as a collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) or autonomous collaborative platform (ACP), is a specialized class of autonomous or semi-autonomous unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed to perform aerial manned-unmanned teaming and operate as a force multiplier alongside crewed fighter jets and other military aircraft. Unlike traditional ground controlled remotely piloted drones, a loyal wingman controlled by utilizing human-in-the-loop from a manned aircraft and artificial intelligence (AI) of the loyal wingman drone to fly in formation, react to changing battlefield conditions, and independently execute commands without requiring constant manual inputs from a ground operator.
Concept of operations
The primary purpose of a loyal wingman drone is to extend the capabilities and survivability of a crewed combat formation. A human pilot in a command aircraft serves as the central command node. The manned-aircraft directing a swarm or formation of uncrewed platforms that fly nearby or ahead into contested airspace. These platforms generally are designed to be "attritable", meaning they are produced at a low enough cost that their loss in combat is strategically and economically acceptable, unlike the loss of a crewed platform or a pilot. Loyal wingman platforms can be assigned multiple roles, including:
Extending sensor coverage beyond the radar horizon of the crewed aircraft. Serving as an advanced weapons platform to deliver kinetic strikes on air or ground targets. Executing electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, such as jamming enemy radars or communications. Operating as decoys to draw enemy fire and expose air defense positions.
Active programs
Turkey
Turkey has emerged as a major developer of advanced unmanned combat aircraft, primarily through Baykar and Turkish Aerospace Industries. Two distinct jet-powered stealth platforms with loyal wingman capabilities are currently in advanced testing process. The Bayraktar Kızılelma (English: Red Apple), developed by Baykar, is a single-engine, low-observable, carrier-capable unmanned fighter. Conceived as a multi-role fighter and loyal wingman, the Kızılelma features autonomous takeoff and landing, internal weapons bays, and an AESA radar. In late 2025, Baykar announced that the platform had entered mass production, with integration into the Turkish Armed Forces expected in 2026. In parallel, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has developed the TAI Anka-3. The TAI Anka-3 is a jet-powered, flying wing type stealth UCAV. Its maiden flight was successfully completed on 28 December 2023. The tailless flying-wing stealth UCAV optimized for deep strike, electronic warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Powered initially by a single turbofan engine with plans for twin-engine supersonic upgrades, the Anka-3 is designed to accompany crewed platforms like the TAI TF Kaan. In October 2024, the Anka-3 completed a significant milestone when an armed prototype became one of the first drones in history to be directly controlled by another aircraft in a loyal wingman role.
Australia
Boeing Australia is leading development of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat loyal wingman for the RAAF, with BAE Systems Australia providing much of the avionics. The MQ-28 was first flown in 2021 and since then, at least 8 aircraft have been built. The aircraft was originally known as the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS). The Ghost Bat features a modular nose that allows for rapid swapping of payloads for various intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. With a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles, the MQ-28 is designed to exhibit fighter-like performance. It has conducted cooperative operational testing with RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornets and E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft.
United States
The United States Air Force (USAF) is one of the primary drivers of loyal wingman drone concept with its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The program is an initiative to field affordable combat mass to counter proliferating stealth threats. By 2025–2026, the CCA program advanced from early prototyping into concrete operational testing with dedicated operational evaluation units. A foundational aircraft in this domain is the Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie, developed in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) under the Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) portfolio. Capable of high speeds and long ranges, the XQ-58A achieved milestones such as the first-ever flight commanded by machine-learning-trained AI algorithms in 2023. On 24 January 2024, the US Air Force awarded contracts to five contractor teams led by Anduril, Boeing, General Atomics, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman for the development of collaborative combat aircraft. On 24 April 2024, the US Air Force announced that they had eliminated Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman from the Increment I competition and that the Anduril Fury and General Atomics Gambit would be moving forward with development. The Air Force expects to make a final decision between the two companies' offerings by 2026. As the CCA program is expected to result in multiple types of aircraft with varying capabilities and costs, all companies are expected to bid again for follow-on Increments. On 19 September 2024, General Atomics displayed a full-scale model of a CCA. One such CCA version is a 'missile truck', which would augment the capabilities of a crewed/uncrewed mission. Anduril, a competing CCA vendor also displayed a full-scale model. On 3 March 2025, the Air Force released a statement designating the General Atomics design the FQ-42A, and the Anduril design the FQ-44A. Northrop Grumman unveiled the Talon UCAV in December 2025.
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