Navy Contracts 5 Companies to Develop Armed, Unmanned Carrier Aircraft

U.S. Naval Institute ^ | SEPTEMBER 5, 2025 | MALLORY SHELBOURNE AND SAM LAGRONe

[Retain Mike]

Five aviation companies are under contract to develop armed, unmanned aircraft and control systems for use on the Navy’s fleet of 11 aircraft carriers, USNI News has learned.

General Atomics, Boeing, Anduril and Northrop Grumman are on contract for the conceptual design of the so-called collaborative combat aircraft, or CCA, according to a Navy presentation reviewed by USNI News. Lockheed Martin is under contract to build the common control system.

The Navy wants “uncrewed, modular, interoperable, interchangeable and versatile platforms” that it can field from an aircraft carrier, reads the slide from Naval Air Systems Command’s program executive office for unmanned aviation and strike weapons. Breaking Defense first reported the slide’s details.

[Retain Mike]

One Navy flyer explained to me that the aircraft carrier was six acres of sovereign territory that can appear anywhere in the world. Compare this with land-based aircraft, which first must be in striking distance of the target, are subject to the same defense constraints, and are much more easily targeted. We must own the land or obtain basing rights with understanding we intend to attack. Also advance bases located in such places as Guam, Okinawa, South Korea, and Japan come with base housing for families. These six acres at sea can hold a near endless array of weapons. It is passed time they included unmadded aircraft.

[ibheath]

They can launch the birds, they can fly and fight the birds. No way they can make recovery in all conditions possible.

[ComputerGuy]

These days, carriers are good for projecting power against relatively weak opponents. Our carriers are giving the PRC a wide berth. If the shiite hits the fan, our surface navy is going to suffer some big losses. I see carriers as just about indefensible, what with today’s missile technology.

[Magnum44]

Yet China is building aircraft carriers.

[ComputerGuy]

You’re right. I think they just have a case of carrier envy, though.

[Reverend Wright]

Because they will be going against weak opponents as well.

Once the USA officially pulls the plug on Asia.

[Magnum44]

a case of carrier envy

Mines bigger!

[Magnum44]

Because they will be going against weak opponents as well.

Of course.

Once the USA officially pulls the plug on Asia.

What gives you the impression that that is going to occur?

[Retain Mike]

And our land bases are in a superior position?

[Tell It Right]

I wonder why we haven't shifted to having more, smaller aircraft carriers with only a few planes per boat, with planes that take off vertically, and, therefore, don't need long runways.

Think of a swarm of small carriers with planes (or drones) instead of a few large ones.

[ComputerGuy]

Apples and oranges, I think.

[Sequoyah101]

Anduril, Peter Thiel.

[9422WMR]

Missiles, rockets and drones. The wave of the future. Unmanned shipping vessels with a multitude of drones of various sizes. Same for the high speed rockets. No need for co-ed carriers!!

[ETCM]

There are rumors the coming National Defense Strategy, currently being prepared by the Dept of War, will begin that process. Trump's statements and actions on Greenland, Panama, Canada, Venezuela, etc show a focus on the western hemisphere. At the same time, he is disengaging from the defense of Europe. Our Asian partners spend even less on defense than Europe, yet they are arguably more dependent on US protection. Asia could certainly get the same "push" to fund their own self defense as Europe received.

Pentagon's defense strategy draft prioritizes U.S. homeland protection over China threat: report

[Reverend Wright]

“Once the USA officially pulls the plug on Asia.”

“What gives you the impression that that is going to occur?”

---

Elbridge Colby’s policy paper emphasizing Defence of the Homeland over unattainable deterrence against China in Asia.

It’s just a recognition of reality, at this point.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/05/pentagon-national-defense-strategy-china-homeland-western-hemisphere-00546310

[Openurmind]

“Anduril, Peter Thiel.”

What a coincidence...

[GingisK]

So, freighters are going to be harder to sink than a carrier?

[Glad2bnuts]

When an opponent hacks a craft and takes control, do we have a “Patriot AI” to storm and free it?

[Retain Mike]

There are just sooo many potential problems with AI and our military. Here is a US Naval Institute article I posted on the subject.

What Threatens Human Control of Military AI

https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2025/june/what-threatens-human-control-military-ai

[Does so]

About time...