Anduril YFQ-44

Anduril YFQ-44, internally known as "Fury", is a unmanned combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UCAV) currently under development by Anduril Industries. The aircraft is one of the winning designs for Phase 1 of the United States Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program and aims to enhance air-to-air missions through manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) alongside crewed platforms such as the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning, and planned Next-Generation Air Superiority fighter aircraft (warplanes).

Development and Design

The YFQ-44 was originally designed by Blue Force Technologies as a high-threat simulation platform under the name "Grackle", later renamed "REDmedium" and finally "Fury". Blue Force Technologies was acquired by Anduril in 2023, and the Fury design was adapted as a submission for the United States Air Force’s (USAF) CCA program. The design was ultimately selected as one of two winners for Increment I CCA alongside General Atomics’ YFQ-42.

As of 2023, the Fury’s design is a fighter-like UAV approximately half the size of a conventional F-16 Fighting Falcon. Its configuration features swept trapezoidal wings, a chin-mounted inlet, a cruciform tail with stabilizers, a single vertical stabilizer, and externally mounted weapons pylons. The aircraft is designed to reach altitudes of up to 50,000 feet (15,200 m) and speeds of Mach 0.95, while sustaining up to 4.5 g at approximately 20,000 feet (6,100 m) and capable of withstanding a maximum of 9 g. Fury will be powered by a single Williams FJ44-4M turbofan engine with producing 4,000 pound-force (17.8 kN) of thrust and will have a maximum gross takeoff weight of 5,000 pounds (2,270 kg). The design is expected to provide the USAF with an "affordable mass" to augment crewed fighter aircraft in air-to-air missions. Its low-cost structure, while not intended to be "expendable", enables operators and commanders to accept greater risks with the aircraft. A mockup of the design was displayed at a USAF conference in September 2024.

The aircraft received its official designation during the 2025 Air and Space Forces Symposium. Flight testing was initially expected to begin in summer 2025 but was delayed until September 2025. The first flight occurred on 31 October 2025.

YFQ-44 Model released by the United States Air Force (DVID)

Operational Concept

The YFQ-44 is designed to operate as a "loyal wingman" alongside crewed fighter aircraft to reduce pilot workload, extend sensor range and targeting capability, and provide more cost-effective assets for high-risk missions. It is also planned to support combinations of electronic warfare and electronic warfare with reconnaissance missions and weapons carriage.

Technical Specifications

• Crew: Unmanned
• Length: 20 ft (6.1 m)
• Wingspan: 17 ft (5.2 m)
• Maximum takeoff weight: 5,000 lb (2,268 kg)
• Powerplant: 1 × Williams FJ44-4M turbofan, 4,000 lbf (18 kN) thrust
• Maximum speed: Mach 0.95
• Service ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,000 m)
• G-limits: +9 / −3
• Pylons: 2 × weapons stations
• Missiles: 2 × AIM-120 AMRAAM