The United States Marine Corps (USMC) has selected the YFQ-42 combat drone from General Atomics to participate in tests that will evaluate the integration between unmanned aerial vehicles and manned fighters within the framework of the MUX TACAIR program.
The platform will receive a “digital brain” supplied by the USMC and act as a test platform in trials that will assess how so-called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) can operate coordinated within the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) concept.
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The YFQ-42 is already part of the US Air Force’s (USAF) CCA program and is in the flight test phase. The inclusion in the USMC’s evaluations, however, marks a new step. The Marines have so far concentrated their autonomy trials on Kratos’ XQ-58 Valkyrie, which is now being further developed into the MQ-58. The incorporation of the General Atomics model expands the basis of analysis and may influence the next development phases of the program.
According to the manufacturer, the contract includes the accelerated development of autonomy for a modular, sensor-rich and software-defined mission package, capable of delivering both kinetic and non-kinetic effects in expeditionary operations. The open architecture of the Gambit family — from which the YFQ-42 is derived — is designed to facilitate the integration of various AI systems, sensors and weapons, enabling rapid adaptation as operational needs change.
Although the YFQ-42 currently serves as a test platform, General Atomics sees the potential for the model to be considered in future phases of the MUX TACAIR program, especially in the so-called Increment 2, planned for the next decade. The initiative underlines the trend that the CCA concept will involve multiple suppliers and different technological solutions, with different airframes and digital “brains” operating integrated with manned aircraft.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: X @GenAtomics_ASI | This content has been created with the help of KI and reviewed by the editors
GA-ASI was selected by the U.S. Marine Corps for evaluation in the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Uncrewed Expeditionary Tactical Aircraft CCA program.
This selection initiates the integration of a Marine Corps mission kit into the #YFQ42A and the rapid development on of… pic.twitter.com/7EMfuRgmuQ
— General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) (@GenAtomics_ASI) February 10, 2026
