As a “family of systems,” NGAD is expected to include a manned sixth-generation stealth fighter and a mass of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) that will serve the jets as loyal drone wingmen.

Central to NGAD is the deployment of at least 1,000 unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), designed to operate as "drone wingmen" alongside piloted jets. -These drones will enhance ...

February 13 2025, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced its secretive Aerospace Projects Office ...

The future of the NGAD sixth-generation fighter remains unclear, but billions in extra funding would keep work progressing on its prototype engine.

now the emphasis could shift toward a more integrated approach that considers the roles of unmanned drones like CCAs, bombers like the B-21 and a distributed network of capabilities. The NGAD ...

For instance, the vaunted “Loyal Wingman” drones, which can ride along with ... in their proposed Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter. Alas, it seems that the news out of Beijing ...

it does seem that the NGAD could result in far fewer manned fighters, supported by thousands of lower-cost drones.

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