Fighter Pilots Are Learning to Command a New Kind of Wingman

Published Aug 14, 2026, 3:00 AM EDT

Air Force has taken their Collaborative Combat Aircraft beyond controlled testing to test human accompanied mission.

Published Aug 14, 2026, 3:00 AM EDT

The Air Force has a vision for the future of aerial warfare. Instead of flying solo, pilots could enter combat accompanied by several drone partners, carrying a variety of weapons, sensors, and electronic systems. Turning these aircraft into effective wingmen goes beyond reliable autonomy. The Air Force must first determine how pilots can use these effectively in battle, and how costly mistakes can be.

Fighter Pilots Are Learning to Command a New Kind of Wingman

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