美軍新型YFQ-42A無人機亮相　預計夏末首飛、劍指千機量產

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YFQ-42A 在加州波威進行測試(上圖取自DVIDS官方網站)

美國通用原子公司（GA-ASI）19日正式公開其新一代「協同戰鬥航空器」（Collaborative Combat Aircraft, CCA）原型機 YFQ-42A，並宣佈該機已於7日完成首次地面測試，標誌美軍無人空戰系統邁入實用驗證階段。
GA-ASI on May 19 revealed the YFQ-42A, its entry for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, confirming the prototype has entered ground testing at Poway, California on May 7.

這項展示僅在Anduril公司曝光 YFQ-44A 實機後不久，兩大競爭者幾乎同步進入測試階段，顯示美軍「CCA增量1」（Increment 1）階段競賽進入白熱化。
The unveiling follows closely behind Anduril’s YFQ-44A debut, placing both Increment 1 competitors in near-simultaneous testing—signaling a tightening race within the USAF's next-gen drone initiative.

GA-ASI表示，YFQ-42A預定今年夏末首飛，並朝正式部署與量產推進。該機由實驗機 XQ-67A 衍生而來，汲取過去多次試飛的空氣動力與機載模組設計經驗，加速研發節奏。
GA-ASI stated that a maiden flight is expected by late summer. Derived from the experimental XQ-67A, the YFQ-42A benefits from prior aerodynamic and avionics trials, streamlining its development path.

美國空軍尚未透露是否將最終僅擇一機型，或雙線量產。根據空軍參謀長近日說法，CCA第一階段將採購超過1000架無人機，並預計在2025至2029年間陸續投入部署，強化有人機編隊戰力。
The Air Force has yet to clarify if it will downselect to one CCA or adopt both. Per USAF Chief of Staff, the Increment 1 phase aims for over 1,000 drones fielded between 2025 and 2029 to support and augment manned platforms.

YFQ-42A屬匿蹤噴射動力設計，具備1300公里以上作戰半徑，結合自動任務執行與隊形飛行能力，未來將擔任偵察、誘敵、電子作戰與遠程武力投送等複合角色。
With low-observable design and a combat radius exceeding 1,300 km, the YFQ-42A is optimized for autonomous operations, swarming, electronic warfare, and precision strike—embodying the future of unmanned air combat.