General Atomics is taking a bold step toward rapidly delivering a European Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) based on a mature U.S. platform, assembled in Europe, with European mission systems by aligning its independent U.S. and German aerospace affiliates under a teamed operation.
The new aircraft is derived from the U.S. Air Forces YFQ-42A prototype, currently in ground testing and scheduled for first flight later this summer, designed and built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) in San Diego, Calif. European mission system customization and manufacturing in Europe will be supported by General Atomics German aerospace affiliate, General Atomics Aerotec Systems GmbH (GA-ATS), headquartered in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich.
Leveraging the prior investments of these established aerospace companies on both sides of the Atlantic provides a jump start for European uncrewed fighter development and a pathway to meet the speedy acquisition timelines set by European nations. It also provides an established path for further international collaboration efforts and indigenous defense partnerships, based on both companies previous successes in global aircraft delivery.
Were eager to combine our uncrewed aircraft system expertise with the airborne sensor and weapons system expertise of the European defense industry, starting with our own affiliate GA Aerotec Systems GmbH in Germany, said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. With a proven CCA design already in production today, these systems will be delivered in significant quantity with high-technology European inputs to build and sustain affordable mass for NATOs fighter forces.
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