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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

General Atomics YFQ-42A loyal‑wingman prototype crashes in California; test flights paused

A General Atomics YFQ-42A collaborative combat aircraft prototype crashed minutes after takeoff from a company‑owned desert airfield in California on April 6, prompting a suspension of flight testing and a formal investigation. The mishap interrupts ongoing USAF loyal‑wingman evaluations and related service assessments.

2026-04-06T18:22:02.663235-07:00

FlightGlobal

USAF, General Atomics validate F‑22 control of MQ‑20 Avenger in milestone manned–unmanned 'loyal wingman' demo

2026-02-23T22:00:38.780286-08:00

ga-asi.com

USAF and GA‑ASI Demonstrate Live Manned–Unmanned Teaming: F‑22 Commands MQ‑20 Avenger at Edwards AFB

2026-02-23T04:06:13.688501-08:00

edrmagazine.eu

Germany orders eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian RPAs via NATO agency for maritime patrol

2026-01-12T11:52:12.556924-08:00

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FlightGlobal

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General Atomics YFQ-42A loyal‑wingman prototype crashes in California; test flights paused A General Atomics YFQ-42A collaborative combat aircraft prototype crashed minutes after takeoff from a company‑owned desert airfield in California on April 6, prompting a suspension of flight testing and a formal investigation. The mishap interrupts ongoing USAF loyal‑wingman evaluations and related service assessments.

2026-04-06T18:22:02.663235-07:00

General Atomics YFQ-42A loyal‑wingman prototype crashes in California; test flights paused

AeroTime

Iranian drone strike at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem destroys Italian MQ‑9A Reaper An Italian MQ‑9A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft was destroyed at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem airbase in an Iranian drone strike that struck coalition assets. Kuwaiti air defences said they shot down multiple drones and reported normal radiation readings; Italy vowed it "will not be intimidated."

2026-03-16T02:08:51.886406-07:00

Iranian drone strike at Kuwait's Ali Al Salem destroys Italian MQ‑9A Reaper

FlightGlobal

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USAF, General Atomics validate F‑22 control of MQ‑20 Avenger in milestone manned–unmanned 'loyal wingman' demo The U.S. Air Force and General Atomics demonstrated manned–unmanned teaming when F‑22 pilots commanded an MQ‑20 Avenger during a live autonomy exercise at Edwards AFB. The trial validated MUM‑T control and loyal‑wingman concepts, advancing autonomous coordination for future combat operations and uncrewed strike roles.

2026-02-23T22:00:38.780286-08:00

USAF, General Atomics validate F‑22 control of MQ‑20 Avenger in milestone manned–unmanned 'loyal wingman' demo

ga-asi.com

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USAF and GA‑ASI Demonstrate Live Manned–Unmanned Teaming: F‑22 Commands MQ‑20 Avenger at Edwards AFB In a live mission at Edwards AFB, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and the U.S. Air Force demonstrated real‑time manned–unmanned teaming with an F‑22 Raptor commanding an MQ‑20 Avenger. The successful test validated crewed–uncrewed control concepts and loyal‑wingman force‑multiplication for future air combat.

2026-02-23T04:06:13.688501-08:00

USAF and GA‑ASI Demonstrate Live Manned–Unmanned Teaming: F‑22 Commands MQ‑20 Avenger at Edwards AFB

The War Zone

General Atomics names YFQ-42A 'Dark Merlin' for USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft General Atomics has formally designated its Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototype YFQ-42A “Dark Merlin”, positioning the unmanned fighter to operate alongside manned platforms in the USAF’s NGAD/CCA architecture. The name signals a step forward as the prototype moves toward demonstrations and potential competition for service procurement.

2026-02-23T03:53:48.711016-08:00

General Atomics names YFQ-42A 'Dark Merlin' for USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft

Aviation Week

DARPA designates General Atomics LongShot as X-68A as program nears F‑15 air‑launch integration DARPA has designated General Atomics' LongShot prototype the X‑68A after a series of technical milestones and is advancing toward flight tests in 2026. The uncrewed, missile‑carrying air‑launched vehicle is being integrated for F‑15 air‑launch to extend combat reach and keep crewed aircraft at safer standoff distances.

2026-02-17T06:11:19.361596-08:00

DARPA designates General Atomics LongShot as X-68A as program nears F‑15 air‑launch integration

Air Data News

SNC, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics form team to offer Freedom Trainer™ for U.S. Navy UJTS Sierra Nevada Corporation has signed an executive charter with Northrop Grumman and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to form an industry team to deliver its Freedom Trainer™, an advanced jet trainer. It will bid for the U.S. Navy's Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) competition.

2026-02-12T02:54:20.812899-08:00

SNC, Northrop Grumman and General Atomics form team to offer Freedom Trainer™ for U.S. Navy UJTS

Breaking Defense

The uncrewed revolution: MQ-9B and Gambit series reshape regional air dominance The MQ-9B and Gambit series represent parallel uncrewed capabilities reshaping regional air dominance, offering persistent, scalable ISR and strike options. Their combination lets militaries address rising security challenges with lower risk to crewed platforms and affordably extend operational reach across contested regions.

2026-02-09T05:19:22.146856-08:00

The uncrewed revolution: MQ-9B and Gambit series reshape regional air dominance

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General Atomics News

General Atomics YFQ-42A loyal‑wingman prototype crashes in California; test flights paused

USAF, General Atomics validate F‑22 control of MQ‑20 Avenger in milestone manned–unmanned 'loyal wingman' demo

USAF and GA‑ASI Demonstrate Live Manned–Unmanned Teaming: F‑22 Commands MQ‑20 Avenger at Edwards AFB

Germany orders eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian RPAs via NATO agency for maritime patrol

News Timeline