The US and China are racing to build unmanned combat aircraft that could reshape aerial warfare and decide air superiority over a Taiwan contingency.
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A model of the YFQ-42A unmanned combat aircraft, under development by the US military, on display at a defense industry event near Washington, D.C., on September 23. (©Sankei by Kazuyuki Sakamoto)

The United States and China are locked in an intense race to develop unmanned aerial vehicles — a new class of weapon poised to transform the future of aerial warfare. 

In late August, the US military conducted the first flight test of its YFQ-42A unmanned aircraft. Just a week later, China unveiled a drone closely resembling it during a military parade marking what they call the 80th anniversary of the War of Resistance Against Japan. 

Seen as key to achieving air superiority, these next-generation systems have become a focal point of US-China competition as both nations brace for possible contingencies over Taiwan.

The Future of Air Warfare

The YFQ-42A, now under development in the US, is an unmanned combat aircraft designed to operate alongside piloted fighter jets. It can carry out coordinated missions such as strike operations and electronic warfare. 

While the vehicle follows the pilot's commands, its onboard artificial intelligence can independently make tactical decisions to accomplish assigned objectives. The US military classifies this new generation weapon as Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

A model of the YFQ-42A unmanned combat aircraft on display at a defense industry event near Washington, D.C., on September 23. (© Kazuyuki Sakamoto)

One of the key advantages of unmanned combat aircraft is the elimination of human risk, as they do not require onboard pilots. These systems are expected to undertake high-risk missions, such as reconnaissance and deep-strike operations. 

They are also designed to penetrate enemy air defenses and carry out tasks too dangerous for manned aircraft. 

Simultaneously, existing fighter jets are struggling to counter swarms of unmanned systems, a change anticipated to fundamentally alter the nature of aerial warfare.

US Advances CCA

In March, the US Air Force selected two aircraft models as candidates for its CCA program. On August 27, it announced that one of them, the YFQ-42A, had completed its first flight test.

US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink stated, "In record time, CCA went from concept to flight," underscoring plans to ramp up development toward rapid operational deployment. 

The YFQ-42A is expected to fly in coordination with existing fifth-generation fighters such as the F-22 and F-35, as well as next-generation aircraft specifically designed to operate in tandem with CCA.

Regarding the sixth-generation fighter jet, US President Donald Trump announced in March plans to introduce the F-47, named in reference to his position as the 47th president. 

He described the aircraft as "the most advanced, the most capable, and the most lethal aircraft ever built." The president likewise stressed its ability to operate in coordination with the CCA.

China Catches Up Rapidly

Meanwhile, China displayed an unmanned aircraft at its September 3 military parade that resembles the YFQ-42A. It's believed to be part of the Feihong 97 (FH-97) series, designed to operate alongside manned fighter jets.

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on Sept. 3 during the Victory Day parade. (© Xinhua/Kyodo)

On the day of the parade, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech calling for the strengthening of China's military. Xi also serves as chairman of the Central Military Commission, the highest authority of the People's Liberation Army. 

"[We need to] resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity," he said. 

Race for Air Superiority

China, which has not ruled out using force to achieve Taiwan's unification, is aggressively building its capabilities to deter US military intervention. 

The US-China race to develop the CCA will play a key role in determining which side achieves air superiority in a potential Taiwan contingency.

To that end, the Trump administration plans to accelerate development and work closely with the defense industry to get the system into operation quickly.

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Author: Kazuyuki Sakamoto, The Sankei Shimbun

(Read this in Japanese)

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