Air Force officials anticipate completing by July the initial study that is supporting the search for a ground-based strategic deterrent that will replace the Minuteman III ICBM fleet after 2030. Air Force Global Strike Command is working with USAF headquarters on this capabilities-based assessment that will establish the requirements baseline for the future missile’s attributes such as desired speed, range, and payload capacity, they said. This work will flow into next fiscal year’s planned activity to develop the GBSD analysis of alternatives study guidance and AOA study plan. They anticipate that they will finish the AOA and all related material solutions analysis in Fiscal 2014, producing a recommendation on the best GBSD options and paving the way for a subsequent program of record. (SAF/PA report by Vicki Stein)
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.