USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft Deploy to Creech AFB for ACE Trials
Anduril's YFQ-44 Fury and General Atomics' YFQ-42 Dark Merlin arrived at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) trials from July 20-24, 2026. The USAF's Experimental Operations Unit led ground and flight operations testing lean sustainment, human-machine teaming, and integration with manned fighters. Observers from the Royal Netherlands Air Force attended. The exercise aims to reduce logistical risks and validate concepts for forward-deployed operations, following earlier tests in the Pacific and at Edwards AFB.
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Collaborative Combat Aircraft Conduct Exercise at Creech Air Force Base
The U.S. Air Force's YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) deployed to Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, for an exercise focused on operating semi-autonomous drones in austere environments. Led by the Experimental Operations Unit, the exercise involved loading inert AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, refueling, and generating multiple sorties to demonstrate reliability and extended range. The CCAs integrated with manned platforms (previously including F-35, F-22, and F-15EX) to project power across distributed battlefields. Members of the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force observed, reflecting international collaboration on the CCA program. The exercise tested Agile Combat Employment concepts, validating the reduced logistical footprint needed for forward-deployed operations. The unit previously tested CCA concepts at Edwards AFB and flew the MQ-28 Ghost Bat in the Valiant Shield exercise.
Collaborative Combat Aircraft Deploy to Creech AFB for Austere Environment Exercise
The U.S. Air Force's YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) deployed to Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, for an exercise focused on operating semi-autonomous drones in austere environments. Conducted by the Experimental Operations Unit (EOU), the exercise involved loading inert AIM-120 air-to-air missiles, refueling, and generating multiple sorties to demonstrate reliability and extended range. The CCAs integrated with unspecified manned platforms (previously including F-35, F-22, and F-15EX) to project power across distributed battlefields. Members of the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force observed, reflecting their participation in the CCA program. The exercise tested Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concepts, validating reduced logistical footprints for remote, forward-deployed operations. This follows earlier EOU exercises at Edwards AFB and the Valiant Shield exercise in the Pacific, with plans to participate in Red Flag exercises.
Anduril Fury Loyal Wingman Arrives at Creech AFB for Agile Combat Employment Trials
Anduril's YFQ-44 Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) has arrived at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) trials, marking the first known deployment of the drone to this base. The exercise, running from July 20-24, 2026, will also include General Atomics' YFQ-42 Dark Merlin. The USAF's CCA Experimental Operations Unit is leading end-to-end ground and flight operations to test lean sustainment, tactical concepts, and human-machine teaming, with observers from the Royal Netherlands Air Force. This follows a similar ACE exercise in the Pacific with Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat. The Fury involved, serial 25-1003, previously made history as the first American CCA to fire an air-to-air missile. The trials aim to reduce risks in logistics, maintenance, and integration as the USAF moves both CCA designs into production to counter near-peer threats like China.
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Fury Loyal Wingman Arrives At Creech AFB For Agile Combat Deployment Trials
Anduril's YFQ-44 Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) has arrived at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) trials, marking the first known deployment of the uncrewed fighter to the base. The exercise, running from July 20-24, 2026, will also include General Atomics' YFQ-42 Dark Merlin. The USAF's CCA Experimental Operations Unit (EOU) is leading end-to-end ground and flight operations to test lean sustainment, tactical concepts, and human-machine teaming, with observers from the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The trials follow similar ACE testing with Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat in the Pacific and a previous exercise at Edwards AFB. The Fury involved (serial 25-1003) recently made history as the first American CCA to fire an air-to-air missile. The CCA program is under significant pressure to provide combat mass against near-peer adversaries like China.
Fury Loyal Wingman Arrives at Creech AFB for Agile Combat Deployment Trials
Anduril's YFQ-44 Fury Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) has arrived at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada for Agile Combat Employment (ACE) trials, marking the first known deployment of the drone to this base. The exercise, running from July 20-24, 2026, will also include General Atomics' YFQ-42 Dark Merlin. The USAF's CCA Experimental Operations Unit is leading end-to-end ground and flight operations to test lean sustainment, tactical concepts, and human-machine teaming, with observers from the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The trials aim to reduce risks in logistics, maintenance, and integration with manned fighters, building on previous ACE testing with Boeing's MQ-28 Ghost Bat in the Pacific. The Fury involved, serial 25-1003, previously made history as the first American CCA to fire an air-to-air missile.