The US Marine Corps has selected Northrop Grumman and Kratos to develop its first loyal wingman drone, officially launching its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. The initiative is intended to provide the Marines with an unmanned platform capable of teaming with crewed aircraft during advanced air combat and support missions.
The CCA will leverage the XQ-58 Valkyrie airframe, a stealthy unmanned aircraft known for its conventional runway operations, modular payload design, and multi-role adaptability. The Valkyrie’s low-observable characteristics and flexible configuration make it well-suited for operations in highly contested airspace.
To transform the platform into a combat-ready system, Northrop Grumman will integrate its Advanced Mission Kit, combining onboard sensors with software-defined and open-architecture technologies. This enables the aircraft to deliver both kinetic strike options and non-kinetic effects, such as electronic attack and sensing, depending on mission needs.
The program positions the Marine Corps alongside the US Air Force and other services pursuing collaborative and autonomous air combat concepts. By fielding a loyal wingman capability, the Marines aim to improve mission effectiveness, extend sensor coverage, and increase survivability in future conflicts dominated by advanced air defenses.
