美國空軍同時採購不同公司生產的FQ-44A（上）、FQ-42A（下）先進AI無人僚機。（圖片取自美國空軍網站）

美國空軍部近日正式宣布，根據「協同戰鬥航空器系統」（CCA, Collaborative Combat Aircraft）增量1（Increment 1）計畫，同時向通用原子（General Atomics Aeronautical Systems）與安杜里爾（Anduril Industries）頒發工程與製造發展（EMD）及量產合約，正式啟動FQ-42A「暗隼」（Dark Merlin）與FQ-44A「狂怒」（Fury）無人僚機生產作業。

此舉象徵美軍首次正式將AI自主無人戰機納入未來空戰主力架構，加速建構「有人／無人組合」（MUM-T）作戰體系。

The US Air Force has officially awarded Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) and production contracts to General Atomics and Anduril under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Increment 1 program.

The decision initiates production of the FQ-42A Dark Merlin and FQ-44A Fury, marking a major step toward integrating AI-enabled autonomous wingmen into future air combat operations.

---

YFQ正式轉正　取得量產資格

Prototype Aircraft Advance to Production Status

從YFQ變成FQ

根據美軍航空器命名規則，原型機型號前方會加上「Y」字母。

此次美國空軍移除YFQ-42A與YFQ-44A型號中的「Y」，代表兩款機型已通過關鍵驗證程序，正式取得量產資格。

新正式名稱為：

FQ-42A Dark Merlin

由通用原子研製。

FQ-44A Fury

由安杜里爾研製。

Transition from Prototype to Operational Program

The removal of the "Y" designation signifies that both aircraft have advanced beyond prototype status and are now approved for production.

The two systems are now designated:

• FQ-42A Dark Merlin (General Atomics)
• FQ-44A Fury (Anduril)

This reflects confidence that both aircraft meet mission requirements and are ready for accelerated fielding.

---

美軍規劃部署千架CCA

USAF Envisions Fleet of Around 1,000 Aircraft

規模遠超過外界預期

軍事媒體指出，美軍最終規劃部署規模可能達到約1000架CCA。

短期目標則是在2020年代末期前：

• 採購超過150架CCA
• 搭配F-35與NGAD運用
• 執行情監偵任務
• 擔任飛彈載台
• 執行電子戰任務
• 擴大空優作戰範圍

這將成為冷戰結束後，美國空軍最大規模的新型作戰機隊建案之一。

Large-Scale Procurement Plans

Reports indicate that the Air Force may eventually acquire around 1,000 CCAs.

Near-term goals include:

• More than 150 aircraft by the late 2020s
• Integration with F-35 and future NGAD fighters
• ISR missions
• Weapons carriage
• Electronic warfare
• Air superiority support

The program could become one of the largest tactical aviation initiatives since the Cold War.

---

打破傳統軍購模式

New Acquisition Model Breaks Traditional Defense Procurement Practices

兩家廠商同步獲選

過去美軍大型戰機計畫通常只會選擇單一主承包商。

但CCA增量1計畫採取雙供應商模式：

• 通用原子
• 安杜里爾

同步進入量產階段。

美國空軍表示，此舉可：

• 降低風險
• 增加競爭
• 加快技術成熟
• 避免單一供應鏈依賴

Dual-Vendor Strategy

Unlike traditional fighter programs, the Air Force selected two manufacturers rather than one.

Officials believe this approach will:

• Reduce program risk
• Encourage competition
• Accelerate innovation
• Improve supply-chain resilience

---

自主AI系統採模組化競爭

Autonomous AI Software Will Compete Separately

六大軍工企業共同競爭

除了機體本身，美軍更重視自主飛行與作戰決策系統。

因此空軍將自主軟體與飛機平台分開採購。

目前參與競爭廠商包括：

Shield AI

Collins Aerospace

Anduril Industries

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Lockheed Martin

Northrop Grumman

第一階段要求各家公司在六個月內交付可運作的自主系統。

Open Competition for Autonomy Software

The Air Force is treating autonomy as a separate acquisition effort.

Six companies are participating in the software competition, with the first phase requiring operational software delivery within six months.

The goal is to create a flexible ecosystem where autonomy can evolve independently from the aircraft platform.

---

依實戰表現決定付款

Performance-Based Contracting Introduced

首度採用成果導向採購

此次CCA計畫另一項重大創新，是美軍首次大規模導入：

Performance-Based Contracting

也就是：

• 實際測試表現優秀 → 支付全額費用
• 表現不佳 → 更換供應商

未來軟體供應商將必須透過：

• 模擬測試
• 飛行驗證
• 操作員回饋

持續證明系統效能。

Results-Based Procurement

The program introduces a performance-driven contracting model.

Suppliers will only receive full compensation if their systems demonstrate operational effectiveness during testing and evaluation.

This creates continuous pressure for improvement and innovation.

空戰正式進入「AI僚機時代」

CCA真正重要之處，不在於它是一架無人機，而是在於它將改變未來空戰結構。

未來一架有人戰機可能同時指揮：

• 2架CCA
• 4架CCA
• 甚至更多自主僚機

形成：

「1名飛官＋多架AI戰機」

的新型作戰模式。

CCA可執行：

• 前沿偵察
• 電子干擾
• 誘敵消耗
• 飛彈發射
• 高風險突防

而有人戰機則保留於較安全區域進行指揮控制。

Strategic Significance

The true significance of the CCA program is not merely the introduction of unmanned aircraft, but the transformation of air warfare itself.

Future fighter pilots may command multiple autonomous aircraft simultaneously, creating a force multiplier effect that expands combat power without increasing pilot numbers.

The FQ-42A and FQ-44A represent the first large-scale step toward an AI-enabled air force, where human pilots direct networks of autonomous wingmen capable of reconnaissance, electronic warfare, missile delivery, and high-risk penetration missions.