General Atomics says autonomous CCA is ready for production after passive-sensor target engagement with manned F-5 fighter

General Atomics tested an autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft alongside a manned F-5 Advanced Tiger during a large-force exercise on July 21. Both aircraft carried passive infrared search-and-track sensors and the company's TacACE autonomy software, allowing them to fuse observations without using active radar. Targeting data from the F-5 was relayed over a beyond-line-of-sight link so the unmanned aircraft could support the engagement. General Atomics says the demonstration shows its CCA design is ready for production, although the flight remains part of an ongoing test campaign rather than an operational deployment.