The US Navy has issued a request for information for its Collaborative Combat Aircraft Increment 1 program, officially launching its search for carrier-capable unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Published by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the document seeks industry proposals to build two fully mission-ready prototypes designed to operate from the Nimitz-class and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.
The force has established a three-year timeline for the loyal wingman initiative, with the first testbed’s flight scheduled within 24 months of a contract award and shore-based carrier certification within 36 months.
Read the full story on our new publication, The Drone Front: US Navy Kicks Off Search for Carrier-Based Loyal Wingman Drones