Anduril, General Atomics get Air Force contracts to build first drone wingmen

Anduril and General Atomics have secured Air Force contracts to develop the first drone wingmen designed to fly alongside fighter jets. While these two companies focus on building the drones, six other firms will compete to develop the required autonomy software. This strategic initiative aims to integrate unmanned systems with manned aircraft, leveraging autonomous technology to enhance combat capabilities and operational efficiency through the creation of a specialized drone wingman fleet for the Air Force.