{"id":72240,"date":"2026-02-23T19:35:55","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T19:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2026\/02\/23\/f-22-raptor-mq-20-drone-complete-manned-unmanned-flight-exercise\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:19:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:19:48","slug":"f-22-raptor-mq-20-drone-complete-manned-unmanned-flight-exercise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/industry\/techwatch\/2026\/02\/23\/f-22-raptor-mq-20-drone-complete-manned-unmanned-flight-exercise\/","title":{"rendered":"F-22 Raptor, MQ-20 drone complete manned-unmanned flight exercise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. Air Force and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. recently completed a successful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/unmanned\/2024\/04\/24\/here-are-the-two-companies-creating-drone-wingmen-for-the-us-air-force\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/unmanned\/2024\/04\/24\/here-are-the-two-companies-creating-drone-wingmen-for-the-us-air-force\/\">manned-unmanned<\/a> teamed demonstration between an F-22 Raptor and an MQ-20 Avenger unmanned aircraft, advancing the integration of autonomous systems into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2025\/05\/14\/air-force-eyes-longer-range-for-f-47-as-combat-edge-in-pacific-theater\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2025\/05\/14\/air-force-eyes-longer-range-for-f-47-as-combat-edge-in-pacific-theater\/\">tactical fighter<\/a> operations, according to a Feb. 23 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ga-asi.com\/ga-asi-and-usaf-demonstrate-manned-unmanned-teaming-with-f-22-and-mq-20-in-joint-autonomy-exercise\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.ga-asi.com\/ga-asi-and-usaf-demonstrate-manned-unmanned-teaming-with-f-22-and-mq-20-in-joint-autonomy-exercise\">company release<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The live-flight exercise, conducted at Edwards Air Force Base in California, featured a human-piloted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2026\/02\/06\/f-22s-pulled-from-super-bowl-flyover-due-to-operations-planner-says\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/news\/your-military\/2026\/02\/06\/f-22s-pulled-from-super-bowl-flyover-due-to-operations-planner-says\/\">F-22<\/a> issuing real-time commands to the MQ-20 via advanced autonomy software and a tactical data link. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Avenger <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2025\/08\/28\/first-flight-tests-begin-for-air-forces-drone-wingmen\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2025\/08\/28\/first-flight-tests-begin-for-air-forces-drone-wingmen\/\">drone<\/a> responded by executing a range of mission tasks, including waypoint navigation, combat air patrol patterns and simulated engagement of airborne threats, functioning as a direct force extender for the manned platform, according to the release. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The demonstration leveraged government-provided reference autonomy software on the F-22 and GA-ASI\u2019s Autonodyne Bashi Pilot Vehicle Interface aboard the MQ-20. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Onboard sensors enabled the unmanned aircraft to process information independently, coordinate maneuvers and exchange tactical messages with the Raptor in a continuous command loop between the two <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2025\/05\/20\/both-air-force-ccas-now-in-ground-testing-expected-to-fly-this-summer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2025\/05\/20\/both-air-force-ccas-now-in-ground-testing-expected-to-fly-this-summer\/\">aircraft<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe appreciate the flawless execution of this mission using the government\u2019s advanced autonomous systems,\u201d said General Atomics President David R. Alexander. \u201cThis demo featured the integration of mission elements and the ability of autonomy to utilize onboard sensors to make independent decisions and execute commands from the F-22.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The demo, meanwhile, builds on General Atomics\u2019 accelerating timeline for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Feb. 12, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2026\/02\/12\/us-air-forces-cca-program-advances-with-auto-flying-software-integration\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"\" title=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2026\/02\/12\/us-air-forces-cca-program-advances-with-auto-flying-software-integration\/\">Air Force announced<\/a> validation of the Autonomy Government Reference Architecture, or A-GRA, across multiple vendors. This included successful integration of Collins Aerospace\u2019s Sidekick software on the General Atomics YFQ-42A CCA for its first semi-autonomous airborne mission. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The YFQ-42A, officially nicknamed \u201cDark Merlin\u201d in a separate press release on Feb. 23, executed precise commands for more than four hours under ground operator control, validating reliable data exchange and autonomy execution that support advanced manned-unmanned teaming, such as the recent MQ-20\/F-22 demo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Edwards demonstration is the latest in a series of tests underscoring the Air Force\u2019s priority on pairing fifth-generation fighters with autonomous unmanned aircraft. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Such teaming concepts aim to boost lethality, extend sensor reach and enhance survivability in contested environments by enabling pilots to delegate tactical tasks to drones while retaining command authority for complex decisions. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The exercise featured a human-piloted F-22 Raptor issuing real-time commands to the MQ-20 drone, which responded by carrying out a range of mission 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