The uncrewed fifth-generation fighter FQ-42 Vengeance is now flying in formation alongside the F-35 and F-15E, bringing the U.S. Air Force’s vision for next-generation air combat to life.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced that the FQ-42 Vengeance was delivered to Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, U.S., on September 18. Described as a fifth-generation uncrewed fighter, the FQ-42 Vengeance will continue operations with test and evaluation units following its delivery.
FQ-42 Vengeance at Creech Air Force Base
Developed by GA-ASI, the FQ-42 Vengeance is being used in activities conducted under the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The aircraft delivered to Creech Air Force Base will continue test and evaluation activities involving the new platform.
The FQ-42 Vengeance features an internal weapons bay as well as characteristics designed for low observability and increased survivability. The platform is also being used in activities aimed at collaborative control operations with manned aircraft.
Formation Flights with F-35 and F-15E
The FQ-42 Vengeance has conducted formation flights alongside the F-35 and F-15E Strike Eagle in preparation for collaborative control operations with manned aircraft. GA-ASI stated that experiments similar to previous company demonstrations using the MQ-20 Avenger as a CCA surrogate are intended to advance CCA operations in parallel with the U.S. Air Force’s primary development program.
In addition to the FQ-42, GA-ASI has conducted activities involving the XQ-67A and MQ-20 Avenger in various scenarios. The company’s aircraft have flown semi-autonomously and autonomously with various AI pilots, as well as under the collaborative control of human fighter pilots operating F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II aircraft.FQ-42 Vengeance’ın
FQ-42 Vengeance Made Its Maiden Flight in 2025
GA-ASI was selected by the U.S. Air Force in April 2024 to develop production-representative flight test articles for the CCA program. The FQ-42 Vengeance made its maiden flight in August 2025 and was selected for an initial production contract in June 2026.
GA-ASI has also completed a new low-observable paint facility to support CCA production. The company stated that it is positioned to deliver six aircraft per month to meet U.S. Air Force goals and has additional manufacturing space available to respond to further orders.
The FQ-42 and XQ-67A represent two customer-delivered examples of GA-ASI’s Gambit Series of next-generation combat jets. The modular design of the Gambit Series enables rapid integration of new systems, weapons and autonomy software, allowing customers to quickly pivot the platform to new missions without significant redesign.
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Source: C4Defence–GA-ASI
