U.S. Air Force names YFQ-48A for Northrop’s project Talon

The United States Air Force has officially designated YFQ-48A as the Mission Design Series for Northrop Grumman’s Project Talon, a semi-autonomous prototype aircraft developed under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

According to an Air Force announcement, the assignment of the YFQ-48A designation represents a key step in the service’s effort to field next-generation semi-autonomous aircraft intended to operate alongside crewed fighters. The Air Force said the designation reflects continued progress by Project Talon as a competitive candidate within the CCA program.

As noted by the service, the CCA initiative is designed to deliver affordable, advanced semi-autonomous aircraft that can complement and augment the manned fighter fleet. The Air Force says these aircraft are intended to improve operational flexibility and combat effectiveness in a security environment that is becoming more complex and competitive.

In a statement, Brig. Gen. Jason Voorheis, the program executive officer for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft, said, “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.”

Project Talon is being developed by Northrop Grumman as a semi-autonomous aircraft platform intended to support crewed fighters in a range of missions. The Air Force has not released technical performance details for the YFQ-48A, but officials have emphasized affordability, scalability, and rapid production as core program goals.

The CCA program’s acquisition strategy centers on continuous competition, with multiple entry points for industry participation. According to the Air Force, this approach is meant to draw in innovative solutions from across the defense industrial base while maintaining pressure on costs and timelines.

The Air Force said it expects to continue competing future phases of the program, as it has already done for CCA Increment 1 Engineering and Manufacturing Development and Production contracts. Officials say this structure is intended to ensure that the most capable systems are selected as operational requirements evolve.

Col. Timothy Helfrich, director of the Agile Development Office, highlighted Northrop Grumman’s alignment with the service’s broader acquisition reforms. “Northrop Grumman’s commitment to innovation, low-cost manufacturing, and calculated risk-taking aligns perfectly with the CCA acquisition strategy and the Secretary of War’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy,” Helfrich said. “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.”

The Air Force said Project Talon’s progress underscores the value of close collaboration between government and industry as the service works to integrate autonomy into future air combat operations. Semi-autonomous aircraft are expected to take on roles such as sensing, electronic warfare support, and strike missions, allowing crewed aircraft to focus on command and decision-making.

Officials emphasized that the YFQ-48A designation does not represent final selection for operational service, but rather formal recognition of the aircraft’s role as an experimental prototype within the CCA framework. The Air Force continues to evaluate multiple designs as part of its long-term vision for a mixed fleet of crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

As the program moves forward, the Air Force said ongoing collaboration with Northrop Grumman and other defense and aerospace companies will remain central to maintaining technological advantage in future conflicts.