Experimental Operations Unit Morale

The Experimental Operations Unit assigned to the 53rd Wing, stationed at Nellis AFB, NV, which has operated as a detachment since 2023, has now been elevated to a fully operational squadron equivalent focused on delivering substantial operational capability for Collaborative Combat Aircraft Increment 1 before the end of the decade.

Designed as uncrewed force multipliers, CCA will leverage autonomy to partner with 5th and 6th generation crewed fighters to provide operational flexibility for the Joint Force, and will span a spectrum of capability, cost and missions.

The deliberate development of mission autonomy tightly coupled with a principled protection of human decision-making is a natural evolution of the Air Force’s tradition of innovation in flight. The EOU will play a key role in this process, providing a proving ground for testing and refining human-machine teaming concepts for CCA in realistic scenarios.

The EOU will integrate into the Virtual Warfare Center and the Joint Integrated Test and Training Center Nellis to conduct realistic simulations and refine non-materiel considerations of CCA employment concepts in a virtual environment. The unit also plans to conduct live-fly experiments to verify simulation results and optimize tactics, techniques and procedures.

The CCA program aims to develop new manned and unmanned systems that can operate together on missions that prioritize increased situational awareness and risk reduction.

In May, the USAF began ground tests of two unmanned aerial vehicles developed under the initiative.

Designated YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A, the test vehicles are currently being assessed for their propulsion systems and avionics, autonomy integration, and ground control interfaces.

The prototypes are expected to compete with next-generation aircraft.