The RCAF's Next Generation Fighter (CF-188 Replacement)

[Kirkhill]

RN's Jet Powered Carrier-Launched CCA Drone

Delivery imminent with sea trials before the end of the year for a price of 13 to 16 MUSD

Royal Navy Pursues Jet-Powered Carrier-Launched Drone to Fly Alongside F-35

The UK has sought industry input on an unmanned aerial system for operations from the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.

thedefensepost.com

This may be a cross over. The USN is looking for a a fighter that can be launched and recovered on a helideck.

US Navy on the hunt for strike drones that can launch from any warship

The Navy is looking for armed drones that can be launched from austere locations or from surface warships other than aircraft carriers.

www.defensenews.com

Perhaps the "Tailsitters" day has come.

Tail-sitter - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Developers of Ukraine-Tested V-Bat Reveal Jet-Powered X-Bat VTOL Fighter Drone | Defense Express

Shield AI has unveiled the jet-powered X-Bat, a true unmanned fighter that requires no runway and is already being prepared for its first flight

en.defence-ua.com

 

[GR66]

Oh the shy is falling, like 30 airframes don’t have radars whatever will the USAF do

I don't think anyone is really concerned about the issue, but more amused by the optics of it in light of the current climate.

 

[Furniture]

I don't think anyone is really concerned about the issue, but more amused by the optics of it in light of the current climate.

It also kinda of undercuts the f-35 annual build numbers. Nobody is buying a 5th Gen fighter to carry around some extra weights for the base gym...

If 30 aircraft are delivered without a key system to make them operational, should they really count as "delivered"?

 

[dapaterson]

It also kinda of undercuts the f-35 annual build numbers. Nobody is buying a 5th Gen fighter to carry around some extra weights for the base gym...

If 30 aircraft are delivered without a key system to make them operational, should they really count as "delivered"?

There's a potential cyclone of answers to that philosophical question.

 

[Kirkhill]

Lockheed Martin's venture into the CCA field - Vectis
From the Skunk Works and very short on details.

WDS 2026: U.S. Reveals Vectis as Next-Generation Collaborative Combat Aircraft

Vectis highlights how Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon envision uncrewed aircraft operating as collaborative combat partners.

armyrecognition.com