#drone wingman

The US Air Force has awarded Honeywell a prototype contract to adapt its SkyShot 1600 engine for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. The compact engine will power autonomous drone wingmen designed to fly alongside piloted fighter jets in contested airspace.

The U.S. Air Force's MQ-20 Avenger drone has completed its first collaborative combat exercises alongside an F-22 Raptor, demonstrating the viability of manned-unmanned teaming in contested airspace. The pairing marks a concrete step toward the military's vision of autonomous wingmen operating alongside human pilots.