US Air Force seeks options to remotely control slave drones on the battlefield

The US Air Force continues to work on the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) concept, which involves the use of slave drones alongside next-generation fighters. The service is now considering the possibility of controlling drones from adjacent aircraft.

Here's What We Know

The drones will assist the sixth-generation fighters. They will be able to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance, identify enemy air defence systems, strike enemy targets and jam signals. It is possible that slave drones will also work with fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters.

The US Air Force wants to put the function of controlling drones on pilots of other planes in order not to burden fighter pilots. In particular, E-7 Wedgetail or KC-46 Pegasus are being considered. This was announced by General CQ Brown, Chief of Staff of the US Air Force.

A feature of the guided drones will be their low cost. U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said the drones should be reusable but cheap enough in case they are lost in combat.

Source: Defense News