In the realm of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, the US Air Force has reached a significant milestone. Recently, in partnership with Anduril Industries, the US Air Force successfully carried out the inaugural launch of an AIM-120 missile from its ‘Loyal Wingman’ YFQ-44A drone, aimed at digitally simulated targets. On July 10, 2026, the YFQ-44A executed a live missile launch over the Mojave Desert in California, signifying a pivotal advancement for unmanned air combat systems as they transition from merely being capable of flight to possessing combat readiness. The drone boasts a classic fighter configuration, featuring a trapezoidal mid-wing and V-tail, and is designed to carry medium-range and close-combat missiles on four under-wing pylons. Its fuselage is approximately 70% the size of an F-16’s, with an estimated maximum takeoff weight ranging from 6 to 8 tons. During this test, the YFQ-44A, guided by its autonomous system, successfully completed procedures including route planning, target acquisition, and launch authorization, culminating in the successful firing of an AIM-120C AMRAAM advanced medium-range air-to-air missile. The AIM-120, equipped with active radar guidance and boasting a range exceeding 100 kilometers, stands as the most widely deployed beyond-visual-range air combat weapon within the Western bloc. The success of this live-fire test represents the most notable achievement in the CCA program since its inception, providing a robust foundation for the future evolution of unmanned air combat systems.