The Daily Report got a glimpse yesterday of the world of Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2006 at the Air Force’s Pentagon Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Center. Kicking off a briefing for reporters, Lt. Gen. Kevin Chilton, commander of 8th Air Force and the Combined Force Air Component Commander, described this year’s key goal—to enhance the performance and capability of combined air and space operations centers (CAOCs). Chilton explained that testers planned to expand the use of data links, extend networks to link operational and tactical levels of execution, and refine the coordination process for collecting, fusing, and distributing information. He noted that, over the last few months, the JEFX team has been slowly making project “tweaks,” including key software upgrades for CAOC command and control (C2) processes—all with a view toward increasing the speed of data flowing to decision-makers.
CCA’s AI Pilots Step into the Spotlight
March 9, 2026
Just one year ago, Collaborative Combat Aircraft took center stage as then-Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin designated the two competing jets prototypes as the first unmanned fighters in Air Force history: General Atomics’ YFQ-42A and Anduril Industries’ YFQ-44A. Twelve months later, it’s the autonomy software that’s flying those aircraft garnering the attention. Autonomy software, more than hardware, may prove the most valuable and enduring element of the CCA program.