US Air Force’s $8.9 Billion CCA Tranche 1 Decision CHANGES Everything. On August 27, 2025, the YFQ-42A made history as the first “unmanned fighter” to fly for the U.S. Air Force. Two months later, its competitor—Anduril’s YFQ-44A—took to the skies. These aren’t just drones. They’re the future of American air power, and they’re competing in the most important fighter program since the F-35.In this deep dive, we break down everything you need to know about CCA Tranche 1 (Collaborative Combat Aircraft Increment 1): the technology, the companies, the capabilities, and what it all means for the future of air warfare.🎯 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: How General Atomics’ YFQ-42A leverages the Gambit family architecture Why Anduril went from clean-sheet design to first flight in just 556 days The real specs: range, payload, survivability, and sensors for both platforms What “production-representative test article” actually means Why Lockheed Martin’s Vectis is positioning for Increment 2 The path to the FY2026 production decision How these drones will actually fight alongside F-22s, F-35s, and the F-47💰 THE STAKES:$8.9 billion program | 1,000+ aircraft planned | $25-30M per unit targetInitial buy: 150+ aircraft by 2030 | Operational capability before end of decade🔥 KEY COMPETITORS:GENERAL ATOMICS YFQ-42A:✓ Based on XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station✓ Modular Gambit architecture (70% commonality)✓ Internal weapons bays✓ V-tail configuration✓ 30+ years unmanned systems experience✓ Second aircraft already flyingANDURIL YFQ-44A:✓ Derived from Blue Force Technologies’ Fury✓ 556 days from design to first flight✓ ArsenalOS software-defined architecture✓ Mach 0.95 / 50,000 ft / 9g capable✓ Williams FJ44-4M turbofan engine✓ Arsenal-1 production facility in OhioLOCKHEED MARTIN VECTIS:✓ Aimed at CCA Increment 2 (not Increment 1)✓ Lambda-wing stealth configuration✓ Skunk Works pedigree✓ “Best-in-CCA-class survivability”✓ First flight targeted for 2027📊 PROGRAM TIMELINE: January 2024: Five companies selected April 2024: General Atomics & Anduril win contracts May 2025: Ground testing begins August 27, 2025: YFQ-42A first flight October 31, 2025: YFQ-44A first flight FY2026: Production decision 2030: Initial operational capability