F-22 Raptor controls YFQ-44A drone in first airborne tactical command test

A US Air Force F-22A Raptor pilot took control of a YFQ-44A Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft during an airborne demonstration in early October 2026, according to the service. The Air Force described the event as an airborne tactical command and in-flight control demonstration, in which the F-22 pilot acted as an airborne quarterback and issued high-level tactical directives to a single YFQ-44A.

The drone's autonomy software executed those directives, the service said, carrying out dynamic flight manoeuvres and simulated combat tasks. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach said the flight showed the value of crewed-uncrewed teaming and the advantage it gives warfighters, adding that the service must test often and learn quickly.

The demonstration follows the first flights of crewed fighters alongside both the YFQ-44 and the YFQ-42 earlier this summer. On that earlier occasion it was confirmed the drones were not controlled by the crewed fighters, and that live-flight demonstrations of that control were expected within weeks or months. The manufacturer, Anduril, said at the time that work had already moved through hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop testing and on the aircraft itself.

The Raptor's selection was not arbitrary. The Air Force has said the F-22 is the threshold platform for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme, and that while integration with F-16s, F-35As, F-15Es and F-15EXs is being considered, it will initially pair CCAs only with the F-22. Before this demonstration, the F-22 had taken control of an MQ-20 Avenger uncrewed aircraft, the article states.