The two stealth F-22 Raptors will become the first air controller for the US Air Force’s future coordinated combat aircraft (CCA) drone.TwzThis was revealed in the report.
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The new initiative is expected to be introduced within the next year, and the Air Force is already considering adding tablet-based control systems and other related renovations.
The integration of CCA drones into the F-22 is described in a budget request submitted by the US Air Force in 2026. The item called the “Manned Platform Integration Program” requires $15 million to continue the project.
Other parts of the Air Force budget document say the Air Force currently has 143 combat-capable F-22s, with the remaining 185 aircraft being devoted to training, testing and evaluation missions.
“The Manned Platform Integration Program will acquire and integrate kits for installation on the F-22, allowing F-22 to control coordinated combat aircraft (CCAs),” the Air Force Budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 states.
“This acquisition activity includes tablets, cables and related materials, as well as activities related to system integration, assembly, testing and verification, certification, communication integration between aircraft and CCA, software updates, system engineering, training, support equipment, and program support costs (PSC).”
Furthermore, the document states that of the $15 million requested, more than $12.2 million will be used to acquire 142 tablets and associated cables. This estimates the unit price for each installation kit will be around $86,000.
Photos and Videos: USAF. This content was created with the help of AI and was reviewed by the editorial team.
