General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) delivered a new FQ-42 Vengeance to Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, on 18 September, where it will continue test and evaluation operations with the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme. The FQ-42, a fifth-generation uncrewed fighter with an internal weapons bay and features designed for low observability and survivability, has flown formation flights alongside F-35 Lightning II and F-15E Strike Eagle jets in preparation for collaborative control operations with crewed aircraft, replicating earlier company demonstrations flown using GA-ASI’s MQ-20 Avenger as a CCA surrogate. “The CCA program’s rate of progress has been incredible,” said Mike Atwood, GA-ASI’s Vice President of Advanced Programs. “Every week, the Air Force is pushing forward with new and more impressive accomplishments using Vengeance. It’s amazing to think of how far this program has come in such a short amount of time.”

GA-ASI was selected by the US Air Force in April 2024 to build production-representative flight test articles for the CCA programme; FQ-42 Vengeance made its maiden flight in August 2025 and was selected in June 2026 for an initial production contract. The company says it has completed a new low-observable paint facility to support CCA production and is currently positioned to deliver six aircraft a month, with additional manufacturing space available for further orders; production continues on company investment as government funding plans mature, which GA-ASI describes as a continuation of its practice of working at risk with its own funds to support US procurement planning. FQ-42 and the earlier XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station, developed with the Air Force Research Laboratory, are both examples of GA-ASI’s modular Gambit Series of combat jets, which the company has built and flown for nearly two decades, beginning with the company-funded MQ-20 Avenger in 2008.