Anduril to develop unmanned fighter jets

 

Anduril Industries has achieved a significant milestone in its ambition to establish itself as a prominent American defense contractor by winning a contract to develop and test small unmanned fighter jet prototypes, beating out major defense companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. This achievement comes under the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, with General Atomics being the other awardee out of the group of five.

Under the contract, Anduril and General Atomics will be responsible for designing, manufacturing, and testing "production representative test articles." The Air Force aims to make a final, multibillion-dollar production decision by fiscal year 2026, with fully operational aircraft from suppliers expected before the end of the decade. It remains uncertain whether the Air Force will select more than one company to deliver production aircraft.

The CCA program aims to deliver at least 1,000 combat aircraft that will complement manned platforms like the F-35 and carry their own weapons. This initiative is part of the Air Force's broader Next Generation Air Dominance effort to modernize its entire fleet of flying systems.

Central to Anduril's success in securing this contract is Fury, an autonomous air vehicle acquired through its purchase of North Carolina-based Blue Force Technologies last year. Anduril has swiftly transitioned from acquiring the technology to winning a major defense award within less than a year.

This contract represents a lucrative opportunity for Anduril, aligning with its mission to challenge the traditional defense spending paradigm by delivering cheaper assets at a faster pace. The company, valued at $8.5 billion in 2022, has garnered significant investor support, including from Founders Fund.

Anduril's Senior Vice President, Jason Levin, emphasized the importance of delivering CCAs rapidly, cost-effectively, and at scale to counter evolving threats. The company looks forward to continuing its partnership with the U.S. Air Force to provide this critical capability to Airmen as quickly as possible.