Published: November 10, 2025
Key takeaways
- Anduril’s YFQ‑44A “Fury” executed its maiden, semi‑autonomous flight in California on Oct. 31, entering active flight test for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. [1]
- The jet managed its own controls during the sortie—no stick‑and‑throttle operator behind the scenes—with “push‑button” return/landing, according to officials. [2]
- Development moved at unusual speed: 556 days from clean‑sheet design to wheels‑up. [3]
- General Atomics’ rival YFQ‑42A also progressed, with a second airframe flown in early November, putting both CCA competitors firmly into flight testing. [4]
- Expect weapons work and expanded teaming trials next: Anduril says live shots and multi‑ship autonomy are planned as the program marches toward an FY‑2026 production decision. [5]
Fury is flying — and where it flew
The Air Force confirmed Anduril’s YFQ‑44A completed its first flight on Oct. 31 and is now in the flight‑test phase of the CCA program. The sortie occurred from Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville—near Edwards AFB, where much of the envelope expansion will continue. [6]
What “semi‑autonomous” meant on Day One
During the debut, Anduril’s prototype managed its own flight controls and throttle and could return to land at the push of a button—while a human monitored, rather than remotely piloted, the aircraft. [7]
The company also says lethal actions require human authorization and that the aircraft includes a mission‑abort “kill switch.” [8]
Designed and built for speed — and scale
Anduril emphasizes rapid, software‑first iteration: executives say the team went from clean‑sheet to first flight in 556 days—exceptionally fast by fighter‑aircraft standards. [9]
Looking ahead to production, the company intends to ramp manufacturing in the U.S., with work expected to start next year at an Ohio facility as the program advances. [10]
The CCA race: two prototypes, one mission
With Fury now airborne, both Increment 1 CCA designs—Anduril’s YFQ‑44A and General Atomics’ YFQ‑42A—are flying. GA‑ASI disclosed on Nov. 3 that a second YFQ‑42A has taken to the air, underscoring the quickening test tempo across the program. [11]
The Air Force plans further testing at Edwards AFB and operational assessments with its Experimental Operations Unit at Nellis AFB, as it refines manned‑unmanned teaming tactics for fielding “substantial operational capability” before decade’s end. [12]
What CBS’s new 60 Minutes segment adds
A 60 Minutes Overtime report published Nov. 9 spotlights Fury’s step from reveal to first flight and the Air Force’s push to field autonomous “loyal wingmen” alongside crewed fighters. The piece reiterates Anduril’s human‑in‑the‑loop safeguards and the company’s focus on mass‑producible design choices. [13]
What’s next (near‑term milestones to watch)
- Weapons integration & shots: Anduril says it has begun integrating weapons and plans its first live fire in the coming year. [14]
- Multi‑ship & teaming trials: Expanded autonomous flights with multiple CCAs and with crewed fighters are on the 2026 roadmap, building the data the Air Force needs to set requirements. [15]
- Program decisions: Despite broader acquisition headwinds, the service continues to target an FY‑2026 decision on CCA production. [16]
Why it matters
CCA is designed to deliver “affordable mass” and new operational concepts—forward scouting, extra weapons capacity, and risk‑tolerant missions that keep human pilots out of the most dangerous envelopes. Bringing two very different prototypes to first flight in under two years signals the Air Force’s intent to move faster on autonomy and teaming at scale. [17]
Source notes for today (Nov. 10, 2025)
- CBS News / 60 Minutes Overtime (Nov. 9): contextualizes Fury’s first flight and Anduril’s human‑in‑the‑loop controls. [18]
- Reuters (Oct. 31): confirms semi‑autonomous flight details, quotes Air Force leadership, and notes Ohio production plans. [19]
- Air & Space Forces Magazine (Oct. 31): details location (Victorville), 556‑day development sprint, and forthcoming Edwards/Nellis test roles and program timing. [20]
- The Aviationist (Nov. 4): documents GA‑ASI’s second YFQ‑42A flight, showing parallel progress by both vendors. [21]
- The War Zone (Oct. 31): provides additional first‑flight context and USAF statements on how Increment 1 informs future CCA requirements and potential buy quantities. [22]
For readers new to the acronyms: “CCA” stands for Collaborative Combat Aircraft—uncrewed jets designed to team with crewed fighters. “YFQ‑44A” is the Air Force’s designation for Anduril’s Fury prototype; the Y denotes prototype, F is fighter, and Q signifies uncrewed. [23]
References
1. www.airandspaceforces.com, 2. www.reuters.com, 3. www.airandspaceforces.com, 4. theaviationist.com, 5. breakingdefense.com, 6. www.airandspaceforces.com, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. www.cbsnews.com, 9. www.airandspaceforces.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. theaviationist.com, 12. www.airandspaceforces.com, 13. www.cbsnews.com, 14. breakingdefense.com, 15. breakingdefense.com, 16. www.airandspaceforces.com, 17. www.airandspaceforces.com, 18. www.cbsnews.com, 19. www.reuters.com, 20. www.airandspaceforces.com, 21. theaviationist.com, 22. www.twz.com, 23. www.af.mil
