The US Air Force has assigned the designation YFQ-48A to Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon prototype, marking its formal entry into the service’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme.
The newly designated aircraft is a semi-autonomous, low-cost platform intended to operate alongside crewed fighters, providing additional sensors, weapons capacity, and mission flexibility. The Mission Design Series status signals that Talon is far enough along in development to be treated as an official prototype within the CCA effort.
Brig. Gen. Jason Voorheis, programme executive officer for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft, said Talon’s momentum supports the Air Force’s effort to introduce rapid competition into the CCA pipeline. “We are encouraged by Northrop Grumman’s continued investment in developing advanced semi-autonomous capabilities. Their approach aligns with our strategy to foster competition, drive industry innovation, and deliver cutting-edge technology at speed and scale.”
The CCA programme is structured around iterative phases, with the Air Force planning to compete each step rather than committing to a single manufacturer early. Increment 1 contracts for engineering, manufacturing development and production have already seen companies compete, and officials indicate that will remain the model as requirements evolve.
Col. Timothy Helfrich, director of the Agile Development Office, drew attention to Talon’s positioning within that ecosystem. “Northrop Grumman’s commitment to innovation, low-cost manufacturing, and calculated risk-taking aligns perfectly with the CCA acquisition strategy. Project Talon is a testament to their ability to push boundaries and experiment with new technologies, ultimately advancing solutions that could enhance the future of airpower.”
