Lockheed Martin Developing New Collaborative Combat Aircraft Technology for F-35s | Aviation

Despite missing out on the USAF’s first CCA contract, Lockheed Martin is continuing to invest in the technology, aiming to outfit F-35s with the capability to control multiple CCAs simultaneously

As reported by Air & Space Forces Magazine, Lockheed Martin is investing in Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) technology in anticipation for future U.S. Air Force contracts. While CCA, or more general loyal wingman platforms, compatibility has been a major talking point for sixth generation fighter programs like NGAD and GCAP, Lockheed Martin aims to bring the technology to current fifth generation aircraft as well.

According to Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet, the company has already developed a pod-based system for the F-35 that would allow the aircraft to coordinate the operations of multiple CCAs simultaneously using a tablet interface. He believes such technology could also be made compatible with the F-22 Raptor, another Lockheed Martin product that has notably been undergoing development to keep it at the top of its field.

Using CCAs as a force multiplier, manned aircraft are able to effectively operate as a much larger force than they already are. The unmanned platforms can be used as simple ‘missile trucks’, allowing for a greater payload to be carried into the battlespace, or more advanced programming could allow for the drones to operate further away from their…