In an ambitious effort to redefine modern aerial combat, Lockheed Martin has significantly accelerated its integration of autonomous drone technology, aiming to position its flagship F-35 fighter jet as a central control hub for up to eight Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs). As global defense competition intensifies, particularly with rising tensions in the Pacific, Lockheed Martin is doubling down on its focus to enhance unmanned aerial capabilities alongside manned aircraft, setting its sights on being a primary player in the United States Air Force’s (USAF) Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiative.
The move underscores Lockheed’s commitment to advanced interoperability between manned and unmanned aircraft, a concept seen as crucial for future combat scenarios. Though the company was bypassed during the initial stage of the USAF’s CCA program, Lockheed officials have expressed confidence in their prospects for the next phase. This second stage is expected to yield a combat-ready and scalable prototype for uncrewed aircraft—an area where Lockheed believes its advancements in drone control systems will set it apart.
The USAF’s CCA program, an ambitious multi-phase initiative, seeks to incorporate autonomous, uncrewed aircraft that will enhance the capabilities of manned fighter jets in complex air operations. Rather than adopting a traditional “winner-takes-all” contracting approach, the CCA initiative is segmented into multiple development phases. Each phase introduces new capabilities for the drones, which are expected to complement rather than replace manned fighters. These increments occur at two-year intervals, with specific performance objectives and platforms selected at each stage to progressively build a robust, flexible combat system.
Currently, Increment 1 of the CCA initiative serves as a preliminary test bed, with drones strictly for experimental purposes. General Atomics and Anduril secured contracts in this initial round. However, Increment 2, which will kick off in fiscal year 2026, is designed to develop a combat-ready and scalable solution, ideally with a production contract awarded by 2028. With Increment 2, the USAF aims to create an integrated uncrewed segment that is fully operational and capable of supporting human-piloted fighters in complex combat scenarios.
Lockheed Martin’s approach to the CCA initiative revolves around its flagship fighters, the F-35 and F-22, which are widely regarded as some of the most advanced fifth-generation aircraft available. By enhancing these platforms with autonomous system capabilities, Lockheed seeks to maintain a technological edge, particularly over rising threats from adversaries like the Chinese Air Force.
During an October 22 earnings call, Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet highlighted the company’s efforts to integrate drone technology with the F-35, revealing a specialized pod that allows it to control multiple CCAs simultaneously. The pod, along with a proprietary flight control system and a state-of-the-art communications network, could be adapted for use on the F-22 as well. Lockheed’s aim is to enable pilots to command and coordinate autonomous drones effectively, with the potential to manage up to eight CCAs using a streamlined, tablet-based interface.
According to Taiclet, Lockheed’s pod serves as a critical technological bridge. While details on the pod remain sparse, its functions likely include advanced data management, real-time surveillance, and an intuitive user interface that allows the human pilot to focus on high-level decision-making without being overwhelmed by controlling each drone’s movements individually. This setup could revolutionize the way USAF pilots manage their aerial assets, especially in complex scenarios where both manned and unmanned units must work in tight coordination.
A critical aspect of Lockheed’s efforts is the advanced connectivity of the F-35 fighter jet, which features cutting-edge data-sharing systems, including Link 16 and the stealthier Multifunction Advanced Data Link. These systems allow secure and efficient data exchange, which is essential for maintaining synchronization between the fighter jet and its drone counterparts. Lockheed believes that by enhancing manned-unmanned interoperability, it can position the F-35 as the USAF’s primary platform for future CCAs, ensuring that pilots have unparalleled situational awareness and control over a broader array of aerial assets.
During September’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Lockheed’s Skunk Works division, known for its groundbreaking innovations, unveiled a control station specifically designed to link fifth-generation aircraft with CCAs. John Clark, General Manager of Skunk Works, emphasized that this station is equipped with a tablet-based interface that allows the F-35 pilot to manage up to eight drones. Such a system could alleviate the complexities of human-robot interaction in combat by enabling pilots to supervise autonomous aircraft and assign tasks via a straightforward interface rather than micro-managing each drone individually.
While Lockheed Martin’s CEO describes Increment 1 as a “proof of concept” designed for testing and experimentation rather than active combat, this perspective isn’t universally shared within the USAF. A top USAF official countered Taiclet’s remarks, asserting that the first increment of autonomous uncrewed fighters would indeed be combat-ready, thus contributing to the USAF’s operational capabilities sooner than anticipated. This discrepancy highlights an ongoing debate within the USAF regarding the immediate versus long-term role of CCAs, as the organization seeks to balance experimental learning with immediate tactical applications.
The Air Force’s mixed messaging on the role of Increment 1 underscores the complex nature of developing autonomous systems for combat. Proponents of a faster rollout argue that having autonomous assets in active duty would provide valuable insights and a competitive edge against near-peer adversaries, particularly in regions like the Pacific. Conversely, others contend that prioritizing rigorous testing over hasty deployment would ensure the drones’ reliability and efficacy in mission-critical situations.
As the USAF prepares to finalize requirements for Increment 2, many details, including specific technical performance benchmarks, remain undisclosed. According to preliminary timelines, a contract award is expected in fiscal year 2026, followed by a production contract in 2028. By pacing the project across several stages, the USAF aims to make the CCA family fully operational in the next decade. This phased approach allows the USAF to address any unforeseen technical challenges while keeping pace with evolving global threats.
Lockheed Martin views Increment 2 as a vital entry point into the CCA program. With the company planning to compete for the prototype contract, Skunk Works has already begun developing designs for both the “parent” manned aircraft and “child” unmanned systems to meet the scalability requirements anticipated for Increment 2. The company’s leadership has expressed optimism that their expertise in integrating manned and unmanned technologies will strengthen their proposal, particularly as the USAF seeks cost-effective and scalable drone solutions.
One of the driving factors behind the USAF’s CCA initiative is the need to counter China’s advancements in fifth-generation fighter technology, especially the J-20, which is considered a formidable rival to American fifth-generation jets like the F-35 and F-22. In this context, Lockheed Martin is committed to developing CCAs that offer not only tactical advantages but also economic feasibility, enabling the USAF to deploy these assets in sufficient quantities.
James Taiclet underscored the importance of quantity in balancing military capabilities in the Pacific region, explaining that “The F-35 and F-22 now are the only really competitive jets against the J-20 one-to-one.” The USAF needs a cost-effective fleet of CCAs to support manned fighters, offering an edge through overwhelming force if conflict ever arises. This strategic approach aims to enable Lockheed to quickly deliver scalable drones that can be rapidly deployed, particularly in the vast and challenging Pacific theater.
To this end, Lockheed Martin is exploring various design efficiencies, including modularity and simplified manufacturing processes, to produce CCAs at a reduced cost. These efforts are intended to align with the USAF’s objective to have a versatile, low-cost drone fleet that can enhance the overall lethality and survivability of U.S. aerial forces in the Pacific.
With decades of innovation in the defense sector, Lockheed’s Skunk Works division is well-positioned to spearhead the design and integration of the next generation of CCAs. Known for its rapid prototyping capabilities, Skunk Works is handling both the parent and child designs for the collaborative aircraft, ensuring a seamless blend of manned and unmanned assets. This includes integrating AI-driven flight controls, data-sharing protocols, and advanced navigation systems, all of which are essential for efficient autonomous operations.
Lockheed Martin’s advancements extend beyond the physical design of the aircraft, delving into software and networking capabilities that allow fifth-generation fighters to communicate seamlessly with CCAs. This effort is particularly critical in contested environments where communication must be swift, secure, and resistant to electronic warfare. The company’s expertise in these areas could prove invaluable as the USAF explores different options for Increment 2, potentially giving Lockheed a competitive edge.
As the USAF refines its CCA requirements, Lockheed Martin’s work underscores a broader shift in military doctrine—one that integrates AI and autonomous technologies as force multipliers rather than replacements for human pilots. The envisioned synergy between manned and unmanned systems represents a revolutionary step forward, combining human decision-making with the speed and precision of autonomous platforms.
With Increment 2 set to establish the CCA program’s first combat-ready fleet, the USAF and defense contractors like Lockheed Martin are forging the future of air combat, a domain where human and machine capabilities are increasingly intertwined. For Lockheed, the potential to embed its autonomous systems into the USAF’s fifth-generation platforms holds not only strategic importance but also represents a powerful statement of the company’s ongoing commitment to pioneering the next evolution of air superiority.
