The US Air Force is about to reveal key details of the joint-use drone programme for the F-35 and the sixth-generation fighter jet

The US Air Force will provide more information on the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme next month. This was announced by Brigadier General Dale White.

Here's What We Know

CCA is a project in which the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force want to develop a guided unmanned aerial vehicle. The drone will be used alongside the F-35 Lightning II and the sixth-generation fighter.

The drones would cost much less than manned aircraft to minimise financial losses in the event of destruction. The UAVs will be able to conduct reconnaissance, strike and lure out enemy air defence missiles, clearing the way for manned fighter jets.

We will learn more details about the CCA programme in early September. The service will reveal details of the project at the Air, Space, and Cyber Conference. The event will be held 11-13 September. The U.S. Air Force will share details about the acquisition strategy, future force structure, and cooperation with the U.S. Navy.

The US Air Force wants to build 1,000 winged drones - two for each of its 200 sixth-generation fighters and 300 F-35 Lightning II aircraft. At the same time, the US Navy plans to form an aircraft carrier wing by the beginning of the next decade, which will consist of more than 60 per cent drones.

Source: Air & Space Forces Magazine