The US Marine Corps has formally entered the loyal wingman competition, selecting Northrop Grumman and Kratos to develop its first Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The move marks a significant step in the Marine Corps’ effort to integrate uncrewed systems alongside manned aircraft to enhance combat capability in contested air environments.
The new CCA will be based on Kratos’ XQ-58A Valkyrie, a low-observable unmanned combat air vehicle designed for conventional takeoff and landing operations. The Valkyrie platform features modular payload bays and a flexible architecture, allowing it to support a wide range of mission sets, including intelligence, surveillance, strike, and electronic warfare.
Northrop Grumman will equip the aircraft with its Advanced Mission Kit, which integrates sensors, communications, and software-defined mission systems. This architecture is designed to enable both kinetic and non-kinetic effects, allowing the unmanned aircraft to perform combat missions, support manned platforms, and adapt rapidly to evolving operational requirements.
By adopting a collaborative combat aircraft, the Marine Corps aims to expand its airpower reach, survivability, and operational flexibility while reducing risk to pilots. The selection aligns the service with broader US Department of Defense efforts to field loyal wingman drones capable of operating as force multipliers in future high-end conflicts.
