The U.S. Air Force is making significant strides in the development of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) by awarding production contracts to General Atomics and Anduril. This initiative includes the production of the FQ-42A and FQ-44 drones, designed to function as advanced drone wingmen. In a move to enhance mission autonomy, the Air Force has selected Anduril for software development alongside the aircraft production. With over 20 companies competing in the CCA program, the Air Force is anticipating a major expansion and substantial funding to further advance its capabilities. Notably, the Dark Merlin, a robot wingman, has successfully returned to flight after a previous mishap, showcasing the resilience and potential of these innovative systems.