USAF Jet-Powered Combat Drone Launches Live AIM-120 Missile in Mojave Test

The United States Air Force achieved a noteworthy breakthrough by firing a live air-to-air missile from a jet-powered combat drone, the YFQ-44A, in a test over California’s Mojave Desert on July 15, 2026. The missile used was the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), one of the most advanced radar-guided missiles in service. This event marks the first time the USAF has demonstrated the ability of an uncrewed fighter-class aircraft to conduct a live missile launch while operating alongside crewed warplanes.

In the test, the YFQ-44A executed the entire targeting and launch sequence autonomously, but a human operator retained control of the ultimate decision to fire. The Air Force emphasized that the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) platform will not independently engage targets without human authorization, maintaining strictly human command and control over weapon release decisions. This concept ensures adherence to safety and ethical guidelines while expanding drone operational capabilities.

This missile firing was conducted under the auspices of the 412th Test Wing’s Air Dominance Combined Test Force, a joint team made up of military personnel, government employees, and industry contractors. Initial testing phases earlier in 2026 involved inert captive-carry flights aimed at collecting aerodynamic data while carrying the missile. Subsequent phases tested the data link integrity and command execution in simulated environments, culminating in this significant live-fire event.

General Dale White, the Department of War’s Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Critical Major Weapon Systems, characterized the missile release as a demonstration of the program’s maturity. He highlighted that transitioning from inert weapon carriage to actual live firing allows the Air Force to validate and refine digital integration models with real operational data, a critical step in weapon system development.

While the missile was launched in a live-fire mode, the target itself was digital, meaning the missile did not physically strike or destroy an aerial target during this evaluation. This approach allows comprehensive testing of missile launch sequences and systems integration in a controlled environment without the risks involved in live engagements.

The YFQ-44A drone, previously known as Fury, is one of two aircraft selected for the initial phase of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. The Air Force is also evaluating the General Atomics YFQ-42A. Both platforms are designed to operate in concert with crewed fighters to perform a variety of tasks including reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and air-to-air combat. These relatively low-cost drones are intended to operate in contested airspace to reduce risk to human pilots.

Anduril’s YFQ-44A carries weapons externally under its wings, offering a modular weapons loadout, whereas the General Atomics YFQ-42A features an internal weapons bay to reduce radar cross-section and enhance stealth characteristics. Both aircraft operate in a semi-autonomous mode, managing flight and mission functions with limited direct control yet maintaining human oversight, a model aligned with current military doctrines governing autonomous warfare systems.

The Air Force recently advanced both combat drone programs into a new phase focused on accelerated development and acquisition. The service aims to field these aircraft more rapidly and in greater numbers than typical crewed fighter aircraft programs by leveraging shortened development cycles and modular software upgrades that can respond swiftly to evolving threats.

The USAF Chief of Staff, Gen. Ken Wilsbach, described the missile test as an important milestone toward delivering enhanced capabilities to combat operators. While the Air Force has not disclosed the precise timing of the test nor the expected operational introduction date for the YFQ-44A, this test solidifies the feasibility of integrating autonomous combat drones as integral elements of future air combat formations.