First-ever Collaborative Combat Aircraft fly in formation, demonstrate air combat maneuvers

For the first time, the U.S. Air Force’s semi-autonomous drones flew in formation and executed air combat maneuvers. Shield’s Hivemind, the autonomy software that “runs” Collaborative Combat Aircraft flights, helped multiple CCAs fly in a “multi-ship” formation and execute beyond-visual-range counter-air tactics, according to a recent company release. The release did not specify how many aircraft flew in formation or which CCA participated in the Oct. 26 exercise. “We are excited that the aircraft and mission systems are reaching a level of integration to start showing what Hivemind can really do,” Todd Wesley, vice president of Hivemind engineering at Shield, said in the announcement. Each flight generates data that contributes to a software release, per the statement, which supports decisions on testing and fielding. “The combined Hivemind and aircraft software release process is nearing the point where the Air Force can fly a sortie, update the software overnight and fly again the next day,” Wesley said. “I’m grateful to the Air Force operators, engineers and test teams who fly with us and help us build trust on every flight.” The demonstration comes as the Air Force announced its intention to have 500 combat-ready, semi-autonomous systems by 2032, with an overall fleet size of 1,000. For the CCA program, the service’s fiscal 2027 budget request included $996.5 million in procurement funding, as well as $150 million in advanced procurement for the following fiscal year and $1.37 billion in continued research and development, for a total program request of $2.37 billion. The new Shield milestone in the CCA program comes after a F-22 raptor completed airborne tactical command and in-flight control of a YFQ-44A last month, serving as a “quarterback” and giving high-level directives to the Anduril-made CCA. Meanwhile, Shield AI announced last week its decision to acquire Echodyne in a $5.3 billion transaction to expand the contractor’s drone-warfare capabilities. The move to absorb Echodyne — which can produce next-generation, solid-state radar systems — was said to support Shield’s expansion into different areas of unmanned systems.