SKY'S THE LIMIT

A new generation of unmanned crafts is set to transform air combat, teaming with next-generation jets to deliver speed, agility and power

- BY ELLIE COOK

NEW PHOTOS RELEASED TO NEWSWEEK OFFER A GLIMPSE AT a sophisticated aerial drone designed to fly alongside the advanced fighter jets that will dominate the skies in decades to come.

The images, which have not previously been publicly available, are the latest look at U.S. defense giant Northrop Grumman's Project Talon drone, which the company says it developed in just 15 months.

The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy are looking for unmanned, collaborative combat aircraft—CCAs—that will accompany crewed fighter jets, but come with a much lower price tag than a piloted jet. CCAs could end up costing roughly a third of a fighter jet, according to experts and congressional research.

The Air Force awarded initial contracts to Anduril, Boeing, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, known as GA-ASI, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to develop CCAs in 2024. Later that year, Northrop Grumman lost out to Anduril and GA-ASI to build the first models. The same five defense companies are under contract for CCA design concepts for the Navy's aircraft carriers.

The Air Force said in May 2025 that ground testing of the two companies' prototypes had kicked off. In late December, the military then said the Air Force had officially designated Project Talon a front-runner for its CCA program.

In military parlance, Project Talon will be referred to as YFQ-48A. The Anduril and GA-ASI offerings are known as YFQ-44A and YFQ-42A respectively.

Brigadier General Jason Voorheis, who heads up the Air Force program for advanced aircraft and fighter jets, said the military was “encouraged by Northrop Grumman's continued investment in developing advanced semi-autonomous capabilities.” statement. Northrop Grumman has been coy in discussing the future of its CCAs but said Project Talon had attracted both domestic and international interest.

Expendable Versus Exquisite