The U.S. Air Force has hit a significant milestone in its push toward robotic warplanes, live-firing a missile from a drone fighter jet built by defense startup Anduril, according to DefenseScoop.
The test marks progress in the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft, or CCA, program — an effort to field uncrewed jets designed to fly alongside piloted fighters. DefenseScoop reported the milestone on July 15, 2026.
"We're one step closer to delivering capabilities to the warfighter," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach said in a statement.
Successfully launching a weapon from an autonomous aircraft is a meaningful step beyond simply getting a drone to fly. It demonstrates that the platform can carry and release munitions — a core requirement if these aircraft are to serve as armed teammates rather than just sensors or scouts.
Anduril, a relatively young company in a field long dominated by traditional defense giants, is one of the firms competing to supply these robotic jets.
Why it matters: The test signals that low-cost, uncrewed fighter jets are moving from concept toward real combat capability, potentially reshaping how the Air Force builds and deploys its future fleet.