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Uncrewed aircraft · Air

FQ-42A

General Atomics Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the US Air Force.

by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems · Unveiled Mar 3, 2025

PrototypeUncrewed aircraftAirContract awardJun 17, 2026
Milestones20252026
  1. UnveiledAir Force announces YFQ-42A designation, confirmed
  2. First testYFQ-42A ground testing begins, confirmed
  3. First flightYFQ-42A first flight, confirmed
  4. MilestoneYFQ-42A prototype crashes after takeoff, reported
  5. Contract awardAir Force production contract for the FQ-42A CCA, confirmed

GA-ASI uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (YFQ-42A prototype); ordered into production by the Air Force in June 2026.

Timeline5

  1. UnveiledConfirmed

    Air Force announces YFQ-42A designation

    The U.S. Air Force publicly announced the YFQ-42A Mission Design Series for General Atomics' Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype; the release states the Y prefix is dropped on entering production, giving FQ-42A. The earlier XQ-67A is a separate aircraft.

    SourcesU.S. Air ForceGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems

  2. First testConfirmed

    YFQ-42A ground testing begins

    GA-ASI began ground testing of the YFQ-42A production-representative test vehicle ahead of first flight.

    SourcesGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems

  3. First flightConfirmed

    YFQ-42A first flight

    GA-ASI announced on 27 August 2025 that the YFQ-42A had begun flight testing with the U.S. Air Force, the first CCA prototype to fly.

    SourcesGeneral AtomicsThe Aviationist

  4. MilestoneReported

    YFQ-42A prototype crashes after takeoff

    A YFQ-42A prototype crashed shortly after takeoff from a company-owned airport in California; no one was injured and GA-ASI paused flight testing.

    SourcesAeroTime

  5. Contract awardConfirmed

    Air Force production contract for the FQ-42A CCA

    SourcesGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Solid entries are confirmed, outlined reported, dashed estimated or still to come; dotted italic entries are speculative. Dates show only the precision the sources give.

Sources7

  1. 1.
    CompanyU.S Air Force Awards GA-ASI Production Contract for FQ-42A CCA

    General Atomics Aeronautical Systems · Jun 17, 2026 · Supports: System, System milestone

    “has received a production contract from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for the FQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).”
  2. 2.
    NewsGeneral Atomics YFQ-42A drone crashes during California test flight

    AeroTime · Apr 7, 2026 · Supports: System milestone

    “crashed shortly after takeoff in the California desert on April 6, 2026, dealing the US Air Force’s flagship drone-wingman program its first known flight mishap.”
  3. 3.
    CompanyGA-ASI Marks Another Aviation First With YFQ-42A CCA Flight Testing

    General Atomics · Aug 27, 2025 · Supports: System milestone

    “is now conducting flight testing in coordination with the U.S. Air Force”
  4. 4.
    NewsGeneral Atomics’ YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft Takes Flight

    The Aviationist · Aug 27, 2025 · Supports: System milestone

    “The milestone marks the first flight of GA-ASI’s newest uncrewed jet, developed in just over a year and aimed at advancing the service’s CCA program.”
  5. 5.
    CompanyGA-ASI Moves Into Ground Testing of New YFQ-42A CCA

    General Atomics Aeronautical Systems · May 19, 2025 · Supports: System milestone

    “in preparation for its planned first flight later this summer. Ground testing began May 7.”
  6. 6.
    Government recordAir Force designates two Mission Design Series for collaborative combat aircraft

    U.S. Air Force · Mar 3, 2025 · Supports: System milestone

    “The U.S. Air Force announced the designation of two Mission Design Series within its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program today: the YFQ-42A (General Atomics) and the YFQ-44A (Anduril).”
  7. 7.
    CompanyGA-ASI Welcomes USAF Designation for New CCA: YFQ-42A

    General Atomics Aeronautical Systems · Mar 3, 2025 · Supports: System milestone

    “General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) welcomes the U.S. Air Force’s designation for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft: the new uncrewed jet fighter will be called the YFQ-42A.”

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