新世代無人僚機 美國海軍推進艦載CCA

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波音MQ-25艦載加油機。（圖片取自DVIDS網站）

美國海軍近日發布資訊需求書（RFI），向全球國防產業徵集設計概念方案，推進艦載版「協同戰鬥航空器系統」（Collaborative Combat Aircraft, CCA）增量1（Increment 1）計畫，目標打造2款全新忠誠僚機，進一步拓展美軍「有人／無人組合」（MUM-T）協同作戰能力。

The U.S. Navy has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking design concepts from the global defense industry as it advances Increment 1 of its carrier-based Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The effort aims to develop two new loyal wingman aircraft and further expand the U.S. military’s manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities.

美國海軍航空系統指揮部（NAVAIR）8月31日公布這份資訊需求書，向軍工業界徵集2款具備完整作戰效能、可承受技術與作戰風險，且符合成本效益的新型艦載無人僚機原型概念方案。業界回覆截止日期訂於9月18日，藉此評估後續研發與原型機建置方向。

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) released the RFI on August 31, seeking prototype concepts for two new carrier-based unmanned wingmen that offer full operational capability, manageable technical and operational risk, and cost effectiveness. Industry responses are due September 18, providing the Navy with potential approaches for subsequent development and prototype production.

強調遠程自主作戰　採「Platform In A Box」模組化架構

Long-Range Autonomy and a Modular “Platform In A Box” Architecture

根據需求書內容，美國海軍要求這2款原型機具備遠程自主作戰能力，並能在現役航空母艦甲板上完成起飛、降落與日常操作。這代表新型無人僚機除了需要具備自主飛行與遠程任務執行能力，也必須適應航艦有限空間、高頻率起降及複雜甲板作業環境。

According to the RFI, the two prototype aircraft must provide long-range autonomous operations and be capable of launching, recovering and operating from the decks of existing aircraft carriers. This means the new unmanned wingmen will need not only autonomous flight and long-range mission capabilities, but also the ability to operate within the constrained space and demanding launch-and-recovery environment of a carrier deck.

新機預計採用「機體獨立」（Platform In A Box）的模組化開放式軟體架構，將自主飛行軟體、指揮管制（C2）及任務規劃系統彼此分離。透過這種架構，美軍可降低對單一供應商的依賴，同時保留未來替換或升級不同軟體、任務系統與硬體設備的彈性。

The aircraft are expected to employ a modular, open software architecture known as “Platform In A Box,” separating autonomous flight software from command-and-control (C2) and mission-planning systems. This approach could reduce dependence on a single supplier while allowing the Navy to replace or upgrade software, mission systems and hardware as requirements evolve.

對美國海軍而言，這種開放式架構尤其適合未來印太地區高強度作戰環境。透過軟硬體快速升級與模組化更換，艦載CCA可持續整合新型感測器、任務系統及其他作戰能力，在不必大幅修改整體平台的情況下快速提升戰力。

For the U.S. Navy, such an open architecture could be particularly valuable in a future high-intensity Indo-Pacific operating environment. Rapid software and hardware upgrades would allow carrier-based CCAs to integrate new sensors, mission systems and other capabilities while improving combat effectiveness without requiring major modifications to the overall airframe.

5000萬美元無人機投資　可能帶動新計畫發展

$50 Million Unmanned Aircraft Investment Could Support Further Development

相關報導分析指出，美國海軍部快速能力辦公室（DON RCO）與五角大廈「國防創新小組」（DIU）上月宣布合作投資5000萬美元、約新臺幣15.9億元，加速發展海軍尖端無人航空系統。這項投資方向與艦載CCA計畫存在一定關聯，未來不排除有部分技術或研發成果可進一步支援相關項目。

Related reports have noted that the Department of the Navy’s Rapid Capabilities Office (DON RCO) and the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) announced last month a joint $50 million investment, equivalent to approximately NT$1.59 billion, to accelerate advanced unmanned aviation capabilities for the Navy. The investment could potentially benefit the carrier-based CCA effort through related technologies or development outcomes.

在設計與技術發展方面，新計畫也有望參考美國過去的艦載無人航空系統經驗，包括諾斯洛普格魯曼研發的X-47B無人空戰系統概念機，以及波音獲採用的MQ-25「魟魚」（Stingray）無人機。相關計畫累積的自主飛行、航艦起降及無人系統整合經驗，可望為新一代艦載無人僚機的研發提供參考，並協助縮短後續交付時程。

The new program could also draw on the U.S. Navy’s previous experience with carrier-based unmanned aviation systems, including Northrop Grumman’s X-47B unmanned combat air system demonstrator and Boeing’s MQ-25 Stingray. Experience gained in autonomous flight, carrier launch and recovery, and unmanned-system integration could inform the development of the next generation of carrier-based loyal wingmen and potentially help accelerate delivery.

未來部署尼米茲級與福特級　搭配F-35及F/A-18E/F

Planned for Nimitz- and Ford-Class Carriers Alongside F-35s and F/A-18E/Fs

美國海軍表示，未來艦載版CCA成軍服役後，規劃部署於尼米茲級與福特級核動力航空母艦，並與F-35及F/A-18E/F等有人戰機共同執行任務，形成更完整的「有人／無人組合」作戰架構。

The U.S. Navy plans to deploy the carrier-based CCA aboard Nimitz-class and Ford-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers once the system enters operational service. The unmanned aircraft are expected to operate alongside manned fighters such as the F-35 and F/A-18E/F, creating a more integrated manned-unmanned teaming architecture.

透過艦載CCA與有人戰機協同作戰，美國海軍可望將無人機的自主作戰、遠程滲透與任務分工能力納入航艦航空聯隊，進一步擴大有人戰機的感測、打擊與作戰範圍，並強化航艦航空兵力在未來高強度作戰環境下的生存性與整體作戰優勢。

By integrating carrier-based CCAs with manned fighters, the U.S. Navy could incorporate autonomous operations, long-range penetration and distributed mission capabilities into carrier air wings. This could expand the sensing and strike reach of manned aircraft while improving the survivability and overall combat effectiveness of carrier aviation in future high-intensity conflicts.