Key Points and Summary – The US Navy just contracted General Atomics, Boeing, Anduril, and Northrop Grumman to develop armed, carrier-capable drone Collaborative Combat Aircraft, with Lockheed Martin building “common control” for the fleet.
-The goal: modular, interoperable “loyal wingmen” that extend range, survivability, and strike—answering China’s growing naval reach and the limits of aging carrier fighters.
(July 28, 2017) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 approaches the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) for an arrested landing. The aircraft carrier is underway conducting test and evaluation operations.(U.S. Navy photo by Erik Hildebrandt/Released) 170728-N-UZ648-161
-NAVAIR confirmed the carrier focus; requirements emphasize persistence, lethality, and cost-effectiveness.
-Timelines remain undisclosed, but the push mirrors the Air Force’s CCA effort and signals a shift to deck-launched, networked teaming for air-to-air, strike, EW, and ISR. Bottom line: carrier groups are getting unmanned teeth—and soon.
Navy Aircraft Carriers Are Going All In On Drones
The Russia-Ukraine war, of late, has been largely characterized by drone attacks, and the race by the two sides to develop and manufacture different types of drones.
The U.S. and China, of course, are not in a shooting war. But they are also in a continuing competition over drones.
According to an Asia Times report this week, the U.S., “pressed by China’s missile reach and its own aging carrier fighters, is rushing unmanned warplanes onto its carriers to claw back range, survivability and strike power.”
Last week, USNI News reported that the Navy had agreed to contracts with five aviation companies to “develop armed, unmanned aircraft and control systems for use on the Navy’s fleet of 11 aircraft carriers.”
The companies, per the USNI report, are General Atomics, Boeing, Anduril, and Northrop Grumman.
According to a separate report by Breaking Defense, Lockheed Martin is under contract for “common control” of the drones, while the other four are responsible for “conceptual design of the so-called collaborative combat aircraft.”
The Navy, per the reports, is seeking “uncrewed, modular, interoperable, interchangeable and versatile platforms” that can be operated from carriers.
USNI News confirmed the report with NAVAIR, as well as the different contractors.
It’s not clear what the timetable is for having the aircraft ready.
“The Navy has been pretty vocal about integrating uncrewed jets of different types and closely following the Air Force’s CCA efforts,” General Atomics spokesman C. Mark Brinkley told the outlet. “It’s a smart move that buys down significant risk and leverages the substantial work and investments already underway.”
“Loyal Wingman” Drones
According to the Breaking Defense story, the contracts indicate that the Navy has embraced the idea of a “loyal wingman” aircraft, which is a euphemism for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) type drones.
The War Zone published the slide itself, which lists a series of things the Navy wants for collaborative combat aircraft.
These include “Uncrewed, Modular, Interoperable, Interchangeable, and Versatile Platforms,” “Persistent, Lethal, and Agile Force Multipliers,” “Carrier Operations Capable,” “Cost Efficient and Mission Effective,” “Maximizes Operational Flexibility,” and “Addresses both current and emerging operational gaps.”
The Air Force has also unveiled plans for CCAs.
“The Air Force describes CCAs, powered by jet engines, as potentially able to fly alone or in small groups, and potentially equipped for a variety of missions, including air-to-air combat; air-to-ground combat; electronic warfare; targeting; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance,” Aviation Geek Club reported earlier this year.
Competition from China
Per USNI News, a report was given to Congress in late April, titled “China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities—Background and Issues for Congress,” which cited what the U.S. is potentially up against when it comes to China’s naval capabilities.
“China’s military modernization effort, including its naval modernization effort, is the top focus of U.S. defense planning and budgeting,” the report to Congress said, adding that the modernization effort has been going on for about 30 years.
“China’s navy is a formidable military force within China’s near-seas region, and it is conducting a growing number of operations in the broader waters of the Western Pacific, the Indian Ocean, and waters around Europe.”
Not only does China sport the largest Navy in Asia, but it also passed the U.S. in the number of battle force ships it has, at some point between 2015 and 2020.
The Pentagon, per that report, stated that China has “the largest navy in the world with a battle force of over 370 platforms [i.e., ships], including major surface combatants, submarines, ocean-going amphibious ships, mine warfare ships, aircraft carriers, and fleet auxiliaries.”
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review, and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, national security, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
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