Collaborative Combat Aircraft

The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, as outlined under Program Element PE 0207147M in the Navy's FY 2026 Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) initiative focused on developing uncrewed aircraft to enhance the survivability and lethality of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). The primary objective of the CCA program is to complement existing 4th and 5th Generation Tactical Aircraft (TACAIR) capabilities by delivering advanced air-to-ground, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare (EW) functions. This effort is intended to support the Stand-in Force (SiF) concept, enabling expeditionary and amphibious operations as part of the broader Joint Force.

The CCA program leverages investments from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) to accelerate the fielding of uncrewed aircraft capable of collaborative operations with manned platforms and amphibious forces. Key goals include improving the survivability of tactical manned aircraft through integrated autonomy, enhancing lethality against peer and near-peer threats, and ensuring interoperability across domains. The program employs digital engineering, agile software development, and open systems architecture to facilitate rapid prototyping and integration of new technologies.

Within the CCA program, MUX TACAIR Increment I is the principal budget line for FY 2026. MUX TACAIR Increment I focuses on delivering a prototype air vehicle with fully integrated mission systems, emphasizing Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) capability and critical system attributes such as command and control (C2), air vehicle performance, and mission system effectiveness. The project aims to maximize alignment with USAF and Department of the Navy CCA efforts, reducing duplication and enhancing interoperability through compatible C2 implementations, mission systems, and common control architecture.

Specific objectives for MUX TACAIR Increment I include prototyping expeditionary air vehicle components and subsystems, with a focus on launch and recovery, CTOL capability, EW subsystem and payload enhancements, and improved communications and datalinks. The program also seeks to advance mission systems computing, C2 integration architecture, and open architecture applications. Prototyping and experimentation will be conducted in collaboration with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Four (UX-24) and Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1), utilizing Fleet exercises and Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Courses hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1).

The acquisition strategy for MUX TACAIR Increment I employs a spiral development approach, allowing for rapid capability insertion and iterative enhancements. Each spiral delivers a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with threshold capabilities required for operational training and tactics development. The FY 2026 plan includes awarding three Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreements for prototyping and demonstration, supporting an Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) for Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) Rapid Prototyping entry. This strategy is designed to balance schedule and technical complexity while ensuring operational relevance.

Funding for MUX TACAIR Increment I is allocated across several development areas. Air Vehicle Development covers landing gear integration, all-weather capability, corrosion prevention, airframe structures, cooling systems, and electrical power systems. Mission Systems Development & Integration addresses beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) communications, manned-unmanned teaming (MUMT), EW, secure enclave, and cybersecurity. Systems Engineering supports integration and demonstration activities, while Control Segment Development & Integration focuses on software, hardware, and user interface development.

Additional support funding provides integration laboratory capabilities for rapid validation and verification, including EW laboratory hardware-in-the-loop simulation development and testing. Management services cover acquisition management and contractor engineering support necessary for rapid prototyping. The CCA program's objectives are to reduce risk, accelerate technology development, and demonstrate integrated capabilities in realistic operational environments, thereby enhancing the Marine Corps' ability to project power and support joint operations in contested environments.