U.S. shutdown delays first flight of Air Force 'wingman' drone, Anduril founder says

Anduril founder Palmer Luckey said a U.S. government shutdown has delayed the planned first flight of the company's 'wingman' drone for the Air Force, telling staff "I can't fund the government." The pause interrupts a milestone test for a prototype intended to operate alongside crewed combat aircraft.

Discovered 2025-10-13T07:36:40.151827-07:00 | 2025-10-13T07:36:40.151827-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The delay directly affects a scheduled industry-led test tied to the Air Force's collaborative combat/"wingman" initiatives; the program recently recorded its first semi‑autonomous flight.
  • The founder's "I can't fund the government" comment underscores that funding lapses can immediately halt contractor testing and operations, highlighting program and contractor exposure to appropriations timing — a pressure seen after other recent program setbacks such as a rocket program setback.

Reported By

insidedefense.com Air & Space Forces Mag Breaking Defense
Sources Tracked
3
First Seen
2025-10-13T07:36:40.151827-07:00
Latest Update
2025-10-15T11:56:35.270512-07:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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