The start-up Anduril has been selected by the US Navy to develop ship-based CCA drones. Analysis of the program, its challenges, and the industrial competition.
The US Navy has selected Anduril Industries to participate in the development of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) carried on aircraft carriers. This program aims to equip the fleet with combat drones capable of operating alongside piloted fighters. Anduril’s entry into the competition pits it directly against Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics, longstanding players in the US defense industry. The California-based company, founded by Palmer Luckey, has a reputation for rapid prototyping and disruptive solutions. The naval CCA is intended to enable the mass production of drones integrated into naval aviation operations to reinforce American superiority in contested environments. This selection illustrates the US Navy’s desire to open its programs to new entrants capable of delivering systems faster and at lower cost than the established giants.
A strategic CCA program for the US Navy
The Collaborative Combat Aircraft concept is based on the integration of autonomous or remotely piloted combat drones alongside carrier-based fighters. The objective is twofold: to increase available air mass while reducing human risk in high-intensity missions.
The US Navy is looking for systems capable of taking off and landing on aircraft carriers, which imposes major technical constraints: reinforced landing gear, salt corrosion-resistant structure, compatibility with EMALS electromagnetic catapults and modern arresting systems. The drones must also be able to operate in swarms with aircraft such as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet or the future F/A-XX.
The budget allocated to the CCA program, shared with the US Air Force, is in the several billion dollar range. Congress has already approved initial funding of $1.2 billion (≈ €1.1 billion) for the design phase. The first operational trials could begin before 2030, with gradual deployment over the following decade. The US Navy is counting on a high production rate: several hundreds of drones are planned to accompany its 11 nuclear aircraft carriers.
A start-up takes on the defense giants
The entry of Anduril Industries into this program marks a break with the past. Until now, the California-based company has made a name for itself by supplying autonomous systems to the Ukrainian and Taiwanese armies, as well as border surveillance solutions. Its approach differs from that of large corporations: short development cycles, emphasis on artificial intelligence, and a willingness to deliver products even before they are fully certified.
Its competitors, such as Lockheed Martin (manufacturer of the F-35), Boeing (Super Hornet, MQ-25 Stingray), Northrop Grumman (B-21 Raider, Global Hawk drones), and General Atomics (MQ-9 Reaper), have recognized expertise. Their experience in naval programs gives them a clear technical advantage, but also a slower pace of execution.
By bringing Anduril on board, the US Navy is sending a signal: accelerate the development process and avoid the chronic delays that regularly affect traditional programs. This increased competition could force the giants to review their methods and adopt a more agile approach.
An operational challenge: drones and modern naval warfare
The integration of shipborne combat drones is part of a strategy to prepare for high-intensity conflicts. Faced with the rise of the Chinese navy, which already has more than 350 combat ships, the United States is seeking to maintain a qualitative advantage.
CCA drones offer several advantages:
- Advanced reconnaissance several hundred kilometers from an aircraft carrier.
- Decoying and saturation of enemy defenses through coordinated swarms.
- Targeted strikes with modular payloads, ranging from air-to-air missiles to precision munitions.
- Communication relay in jammed environments.
A CCA drone could carry a payload of 1 to 2 tons, with a range of 1,500 to 2,000 km, placing it between a light fighter and a MALE drone. Its ability to land in extreme maritime conditions remains one of the major technical challenges. The US Navy plans to test these drones in swarms to support large-scale strike missions, doubling the firepower without increasing the number of pilots exposed.
Industrial and strategic consequences
The choice of Anduril confirms a profound change in the US defense sector. The Pentagon is seeking to open its markets to tech companies capable of delivering speed and innovation. This represents a direct threat to traditional manufacturers, accused of costly delays.
For the US Navy, diversifying its partners reduces the risk of dependence on a few suppliers. For Anduril, it is an opportunity to transform its status from a start-up to a key player in military aeronautics. If the company succeeds in moving from prototype to industrial deployment, it could capture a significant share of a market valued at over $50 billion (≈ €46 billion) by 2040.
At the strategic level, this program illustrates the evolution of naval doctrines: the aircraft carrier of the future will not only be a launch pad for piloted aircraft, but a mixed platform, integrating drones and fighters into a collaborative combat system. The current competition is therefore much more than industrial: it will determine US naval air superiority for the next two decades.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.