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2d ago

Marines Select GA-ASI YFQ-42A to Integrate Mission Kit for MUX TACAIR CCA Tests

The flown YFQ-42A will serve as a surrogate to speed manned‑unmanned teaming trials for the Corps’ expedited MUX TACAIR transition.

Image
General Atomics' YFQ-42A platform.
The YFQ-42 undergoing flight testing in San Diego, California. GA-ASI image.
The first YFQ-42 in flight. (Image credit: GA-ASI)

Overview

  • GA-ASI was chosen to install a Marine-supplied, software-defined mission kit on the YFQ-42A and to rapidly develop autonomy to enable kinetic and non-kinetic effects.
  • The surrogate platform will be used to assess integration with crewed fighters in Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations, supporting the Corps’ goal of boosting F-35 survivability and lethality.
  • YFQ-42A first flew in August 2025 and is already involved in U.S. Air Force CCA testing, leveraging an autonomy core refined through MQ-20 Avenger trials.
  • Contract value and schedule were not disclosed, while a separate Northrop Grumman–Kratos team previously received a $231.5 million OTA for Valkyrie work under the same Marine effort.
  • The 2026 Aviation Plan points to upcoming taxi tests, a first flight for a conventional takeoff MUX variant, development of electronic warfare capabilities, and operational testing centered at MCAS Yuma under a new transition task force.