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Air Force

AI Maturity for Fighter Missions Looms As Big Challenge for CCA

Frank Wolfe

Tuesday, October 6th, 2026

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AI Maturity for Fighter Missions Looms As Big Challenge for CCA

Pictured is a U.S. Air Force photo of the X-62 VISTA at Edwards AFB, Calif. on April 22.

The maturity of artificial intelligence (AI) for fighter missions is looming as a significant challenge for the U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. "The motto of the Air Force Test Center is Ad Inexplorata--Into the Unknown--so as we move forward, we are learning things," Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro, the commander of the Air Force Test Center, said on Tuesday during a Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies virtual forum when asked about the maturity of mission autonomy…

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