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US Navy seeks two carrier-based autonomous combat aircraft prototypes costing under $30 million

The Navy’s new request for information outlines two fully functional Combat Collaborative Aircraft prototypes capable of catapult launches, arrested landings and operations directly from aircraft carriers. The aircraft must carry up to 10,000 pounds of external weapons, with a target unit cost below $30 million.

Discovered 2026-09-01T06:35:06.203745-07:00 | 2026-09-01T06:35:06.203745-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

The RFI moves the Navy’s carrier-based Combat Collaborative Aircraft concept toward demonstrator development, requiring two fully functional prototypes rather than paper designs.
Catapult launches, arrested landings and operation directly from the sea impose demanding carrier-integration requirements on autonomous aircraft.
The proposed $30 million cost ceiling and 10,000-pound external-weapons capacity establish important affordability and payload benchmarks for future carrier air wings.

Reported By

news.ssbcrack.com Aviation Week Defense Daily Naval News avweb.com insidedefense.com