Anduril’s Fury Drone Completes First Flight, Marking New Era for U.S. Air Power

A new autonomous fighter drone has successfully taken to the skies. Anduril Industries’ “Fury” aircraft completed its inaugural flight this October. The test occurred at the Southern California Logistics Airport.

This milestone is a critical step for the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The program aims to pair autonomous drones with crewed fighter jets to enhance mission capabilities and pilot safety.

Rapid Development and Strategic Design

Anduril progressed from concept to first flight in under two years. This speed demonstrates a shift in defense acquisition. The Department of Defense is actively accelerating the development of unmanned systems.

The Fury drone is designed for semi-autonomous operation. It can manage its own flight path and mission execution. A human operator maintains oversight and must authorize any use of lethal force.

Force Multiplication for Manned Aircraft

The primary role of the Fury is to act as an escort for fighter jets like the F-35. It can fly ahead into contested airspace to identify threats. This allows human pilots to operate from a safer distance.

According to Reuters, the Air Force plans to acquire a significant fleet. The service may procure up to 150 of these collaborative drones. This signals a major shift in future air combat strategy.

Production is slated to begin at scale in 2026. Anduril is building a new factory, Arsenal-1, in Ohio to support this effort. The goal is to manufacture the drones affordably and in large numbers.

The successful flight of the Fury drone solidifies the future of autonomous teaming in combat. This advancement promises to reshape aerial warfare doctrine for decades to come.

Info at your fingertips

What is the Fury drone?

The Fury is an autonomous fighter jet prototype developed by Anduril Industries. It is designed to fly alongside manned fighter aircraft. Its role is to perform high-risk missions and increase overall combat effectiveness.

Is the Fury drone fully autonomous?

The drone operates with a high degree of autonomy for flight and navigation. However, a human operator remains in the loop for critical decisions, especially for weapon engagement. This ensures human judgment is central to the use of force.

When will the Fury drone enter service?

Full-scale production is targeted for 2026. Further testing and evaluation will continue through 2025. The U.S. Air Force will then decide on the final procurement timeline.

How does the Fury compare to traditional drones?

Unlike slower, intelligence-gathering drones, the Fury is designed for high-performance air combat. It is intended to be a loyal wingman to fighter jets. This represents a new class of unmanned aircraft.

Why is the Air Force investing in this technology?

The CCA program aims to increase the mass and capability of the Air Force fleet at a lower cost than building more crewed fighters. These systems also keep human pilots out of the most dangerous situations, enhancing safety.