US Navy taps General Atomics to design carrier-based combat drone

October 20, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

The US Navy has contracted General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) to develop conceptual designs for a collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) for future carrier operations.

The new effort focuses on a modular platform that can be rapidly reconfigured, upgraded, and adapted to evolving mission needs, including operations from aircraft carriers. GA-ASI’s approach aligns with the navy’s revolutionary acquisition strategy, which emphasizes smaller, more frequent purchases that allow rapid technology insertion instead of traditional decades-long procurement cycles.

The US Navy contract follows GA-ASI’s recent selection to design and fly the US Air Force’s first CCA, designated YFQ-42A. The production-representative unmanned fighter began flight testing in August this year.

Drones of the future

Collaborative combat aircraft are semi-autonomous jet fighters built to complement and enhance traditional, human-piloted aircraft. Produced in larger numbers, these drones shift risk away from pilots, extend sensing and strike capabilities, and boost the overall lethality and flexibility of carrier air wings.

GA-ASI’s current and planned unmanned combat air vehicles — including the XQ-67A, YFQ-42A, and MQ-20 Avenger — are all AMS-GRA compliant, designed around modularity and rapid upgrade potential. The company’s XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station, developed under contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory, achieved its first flight in 2024 after being reconfigured for autonomous operations in record time.

GA-ASI has been pioneering unmanned jet operations for over 17 years, beginning with the MQ-20 Avenger in 2008. Its experience extends to carrier-based drone operations with the US Navy and international partners, including notable demonstrations at sea.

In 2023, the company’s Mojave short takeoff and landing demonstrator successfully launched and landed aboard the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, followed by similar operations aboard South Korea’s amphibious assault ship Dokdo in 2024.

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Industry

At the 2024 Farnborough Air Show, GA-ASI unveiled its Gambit 5 concept — a ship-based CCA variant forming part of its broader Gambit Series.

The US Navy’s CCA will focus on seamless coordination between manned and unmanned aircraft, enhancing both 4th- and 5th-generation fleets and complementing 6th-generation platforms currently in development, the company noted.

“We’re honored by the vote of confidence from the U.S. Navy and we’re eager to put what we’ve built to work for the future fleet,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.