The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilot is reported to have controlled an unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft during a flight test, acting as an airborne “quarterback” for drone operations. In accounts across outlets, the F-22 pilot provides high-level directives while the unmanned system carries out mission tasks.

The reports say the unmanned aircraft is an Anduril-developed YFQ-44A Fury, associated with the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. Forbes and the military-focused publications describe the F-22 as flying alongside the drone, with the pilot coordinating its actions rather than directly piloting every maneuver. The different outlets align on the overall concept—manned-unmanned teaming using an F-22 for command and coordination—while using similar but varying descriptors for the role and the aircraft involved.