Anduril Starts Building CCA Prototypes In Ohio

Anduril has started assembling additional prototypes of the autonomous YFQ-44 fighter inside the first building of a newly opened Arsenal-1 weapons production complex near Columbus, Ohio, the company said March 23.

The facility opened while Anduril and rival General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) await the U.S. Air Force’s decision on follow-on production for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Increment 1 program. GA-ASI is delivering its competing YFQ-42 prototypes from Poway, California.

The first two YFQ-44 flight test aircraft emerged last year after being delivered from Anduril’s main production site and headquarters in Costa Mesa, California.

Anduril started working on the first YFQ-44s after winning the competitive prototyping contract for Increment 1 CCAs in April 2024. In September 2024, the Air Force announced that it would acquire additional Increment 1 prototypes, which would be delivered to the Experimental Operations Unit.

In January, Anduril revealed in Aviation Week the first details of the sprawling Arsenal-1 complex and the 23-station assembly line for the YFQ-44.