The future of uncrewed air power is on full display this week at the Air Force Association’s (AFA) Air, Space & Cyber Conference, taking place from September 16–18, 2024, just outside Washington, D.C. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is making waves with significant exhibits that highlight the company’s advancements in aircraft technology and autonomy.
At booth #734, conference attendees can witness the Air Force Research Laboratory’s XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS). The aircraft made its inaugural flight in February 2024 and concluded its initial flight testing by June. To showcase the advanced capabilities of its unmanned air-to-air platforms, GA-ASI engineers executed an Agile Combat deployment, transporting the operational aircraft to the Gaylord Convention Center for display at booth #734 using standard commercial support equipment.
In addition to the OBSS, GA-ASI is showcasing a full-scale model of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) at booth #1834. The CCA, selected for production in April by the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, is designed to operate alongside and ahead of traditional piloted fighters. These autonomous warplanes are expected to significantly enhance the sensing, networking, and combat capabilities of existing fighter fleets.
David R. Alexander, President of GA-ASI, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s contributions: “We’re excited to show our industry colleagues what the future force will look like.” Journalists and attendees are encouraged to explore GA-ASI’s exhibits to gain insights into the next generation of uncrewed air power and the innovations driving the future of military aviation.
