YFQ-44 was able to sortie with the U.S. Air Force Experimental Operations Unit at Edwards AFB to begin work on developing initial tactics, techniques and procedures for CCA.
The U.S. Air Force and Anduril announced the first round of tests of the YFQ-44A with the Experimental Operations Unit (EOU) at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The military said the exercise is putting the principles of the new combat acquisition system into practice through “initial operator-driven experimentation to inform tactics and procedures that will accelerate the delivery of this innovative capability to the warfighter.”
Testing at Edwards
Anduril said in a statement that the test was conducted last week. The operation was conducted by Airmen from EOU and the 412th Test Wing, who “conducted a series of sorties to improve key operational and logistical procedures for deploying and sustaining CCAs in a contested environment.”
Writing a playbook for tomorrow’s fight.
Operators are speeding up operations on cooperative combat aircraft, developing tactics through early experiments and shaping how they will be used in future combat.
See more: https://t.co/oPd8aYZN7j#CCA #NextGen #air force #innovation pic.twitter.com/OJUmX0NPsw
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) April 16, 2026
Anduril added that the YFQ-44A was flown from the company’s Southern California Proving Ground (presumably a reference to the Southern California Logistics Airport in Victorville, where the type performed its first flight) to Edwards Air Force Base. The EOU’s staff then took over operations, which included daily sorties, including pre-flight and post-flight checks and clearance, loading and unloading weapons, and conducting direct missions for aircraft during taxiing and in-flight.
“This experimental operational event was executed by EOU members from start to finish. Every sortie created and flown was conducted with warfighters kicking the tires and taking control of the prototype, not engineers or test pilots,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Jensen, EOU commander. “We are learning at the pace and risk tolerance recognized by the USAF’s top leaders to ensure CCAs are ready to operate and win in the most challenging combat environments.”
The company also explained that ruggedized laptops equipped with Menace-T command, control, communications and computing (C4) solutions served as key ground elements for YFQ-44A flight operations during the exercise. This allowed them to upload mission plans, initiate autonomous navigation and takeoff, perform tasks on the aircraft during flight, and manage post-flight data collection and verification.
The exercise simulated operations at a forward operating base with the only equipment required being “two Pelican cases and a laptop,” referring to Menace-T laptops, according to the statement. Moreover, the exercise tested the personnel needed to maintain flight operations, with maintenance personnel trained in just a few days.
https://t.co/ot6tdCkNru
— Anduril Industries (@anduriltech) April 16, 2026
The military explained that the EOU will develop the initial tactics, techniques and procedures necessary to ensure the CCA is integrated into the fleet and tactically viable for future conflicts. This was also made possible because Air Combat Command (ACC), which oversees the EOU, and Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), which oversees the 412th TW, worked together to quickly track events, “enabling operators to conduct groundbreaking hands-on experiments during a unique early development phase.”
“The collaboration we saw in this exercise is the cornerstone of acquisition innovation. By including operators in the EOU with acquisition specialists, we create a tight feedback loop that allows us to trade off operational risk and acquisition risk in real time,” said Col. Timothy Helfrich, acquisition executive officer for the Fighter and Advanced Aircraft Portfolio. “This is not just a test. It’s a demonstration of how we are adopting more agile processes. An 85% solution in the hands of today’s warfighter is much better than a 100% solution that will never get there.”
EOU
The EOU was activated at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada in June 2025 to accelerate Cooperative Combat Aircraft (CCA) acquisition. The unit, attached to the 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB, has been operating as a separate unit since 2023 before being promoted to a fully operational squadron, a press release stated.
At the time, the Air Force described EOU’s activation as “a significant advancement in the Department of the Air Force’s focus to provide substantial operational capability for Cooperative Combat Aircraft Increment 1 before the end of the decade.” The announcement also arrives shortly after the company selected Beale AFB, California, as the preferred location to host the CCA Aircraft Readiness Unit (ARU) and began ground testing of the YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A in May 2025.
The Air Force also explained that the EOU will play a key role in the introduction of these unmanned force multipliers, “providing a proving ground for testing and refining human-machine teaming concepts for CCAs in realistic scenarios.” As part of their role, EOUs conduct real-time flight tests to verify simulation results and optimize tactics, techniques and procedures.
