Expected to revolutionize the future air combat strategy of the United States (US) Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) concept is gaining momentum with the development of unmanned combat aircraft. One of the leading players in this field is Anduril industriesThe company plans to conduct the first test flight of its unmanned warplane, called Fury, in the summer of 2025. This aligns with the US Air Force’s goal of making such unmanned combat systems fully operational by 2030.
Fury: A New Paradigm in Air Combat
Anduril Industries' CCA concept Fury unmanned combat droneMore than just a flying platform, the , is designed to work in conjunction with manned combat aircraft on the battlefield. According to CBS News, these platforms are continuously optimized through extensive simulations to make them compatible with combat scenarios.
Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf emphasizes that Fury was developed at a low cost. “This fighter jet is a fully autonomous combat platform without a cockpit. There are no seats or controls in the aircraft. There is no room for a human. This aircraft can perceive and react to situations in the airspace through its own software,” Schimpf says. The main purpose of Fury is to fly ahead of manned fighter jets, detect enemies earlier, engage when necessary, and protect piloted fighter jets behind.
Cost-effectiveness is central to the Fury’s design philosophy. “We designed the landing gear for this aircraft using parts that could be manufactured in any U.S. machine shop, not military-specific parts,” Schimpf explains. “We used commercial jet engines that were already on the market, rather than high-cost military engines.” This approach challenges the conventional wisdom in developing complex and expensive military systems.
Artificial Intelligence and Security Concerns
The CCA concept is based on artificial intelligence (AI). In April, Anduril Industries co-founder Palmer Luckey said, Latex introduced their AI platform called Lattice, which combines data from satellites, radars, cameras and UAVs to enable the coordination of autonomous systems.
When asked about concerns about such autonomous systems running amok, Luckey said, “It’s definitely something to watch out for. But my real fear is what malicious people with middle-level technology could do. So it’s not a question of whether AI will destroy all of humanity, it’s a question of how and by whom this technology will be used.” Luckey said that all of Anduril’s systems have a “kill switch” It provides security assurance by stating that there is a security feature and that the entire system can be disabled with human intervention in an undesirable situation.
Air Combat of the Future
Unmanned platforms such as Collaborative Combat Aircraft are likely to play a significant role in future air combat. Their low cost, autonomous capabilities, and ability to cooperate with manned aircraft have the potential to increase the operational flexibility and effectiveness of air forces. However, the ethical use of these technologies, security measures, and their place within the framework of international law will be among the issues that will require more discussion and regulation in the coming period.
