US fighter drone unleashes air-to-air missile in first live fire exercise

Cruising over the Mojave Desert, this unmanned aircraft is the future of aerial warfare.

The craft, controlled by a pilot on the ground, was conducting a test flight to fire an AIM-120 air-to-air missile at a digital target on July 10.

US military chiefs stressed that the aircraft was not allowed when to fire but must be authorised by a human operator, who remains in control throughout the mission.

The test marks the first live weapons release for the Air Force’s new Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme, which is developing semi-autonomous drones designed to fly alongside crewed fighter jets.

The drone used during the trial, known as the YFQ-44A, had previously carried inert missiles while engineers tested its handling and communications systems before progressing to a live launch.

Military officials said the latest exercise proved the aircraft could safely carry out the complex sequence needed to launch a missile after receiving instructions from its operator.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach said: ‘This live-fire test is an important next step in the development of Collaborative Combat Aircraft.’

The programme is designed to give future fighter pilots extra support in combat by pairing them with multiple lower-cost drones capable of scouting ahead, gathering intelligence and, when instructed, engaging enemy aircraft.

Gen. Dale White, who oversees several of the Pentagon’s major weapons programmes, said the successful launch showed the project had reached an important milestone.

He said: ‘These tests provide operational validation that Collaborative Combat Aircraft can execute the weapon employment sequence within pilot-defined parameters.’

The live-fire trial was carried out by the Air Force’s 412th Test Wing in restricted airspace over the Mojave Desert, where engineers and military personnel worked together to ensure the launch was conducted safely.