Image source: topwar.ru
AIM-120D AMRAAM
The US Air Force, in cooperation with Raytheon, is integrating the AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missile onto the first CCA "faithful wingman" drone created in the interests of the Pentagon, which is designed to accompany manned combat aircraft.
The 1st generation CCA itself is planned to be presented on the 16th-18th of this month in the form of full-scale layouts. Two variants from competing companies Anduril Industries and General Atomics Aeronautical will be shown – respectively, the Fury and Gambit drones (based on the XQ-67 UAV).
Image source: topwar.ru
Fury
- Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall.
Image source: topwar.ru
XQ-67
As explained by Raytheon, AMRAAM missiles will become the "reference weapon" for these drones. Being armed with the data of the URV, they will expand the combat capabilities of manned aircraft such as the F-35 or F-22:
The most recent variant of the AMRAAM RVV, the AIM-120D, has an estimated flight range of approximately 160 km. Accordingly, at this distance, "loyal wingmen" will be able to cover manned aircraft, shooting down enemy fighters.
