The U.S. Air Force is advancing a development plan for a new type of loyal wingman drone, a project that not only embodies technological innovation but also brings disruptive changes to supply chains and maintenance concepts. According to the U.S. Air Force, the loyal wingman drones will extensively adopt commercial off-the-shelf components and are designed around distributed operations and agile combat deployment concepts. This design philosophy aims to reduce maintenance costs, decrease logistics requirements, and enhance the combat capability of drones in forward regions. For China, this trend undoubtedly holds important implications, but our advantages will be significant.
According to reports from The War Zone column, the U.S. Air Force selected General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. and Anduril Industries to develop the first prototypes of the loyal wingman drones, named YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A respectively. Both companies emphasized that the core of the loyal wingman design lies in using civilian aircraft components to simplify maintenance and supply chains. For instance, Anduril's drone uses the FAA-certified Williams International FJ44-4M turbofan engine, which has been operating for millions of hours in the commercial aviation sector, with a mature and cost-effective supply chain. It drew on the experience of the MQ-9 Reaper drone by equipping it with a taildragger landing gear to adapt to short and rough runways and adopting an all-electric start to reduce reliance on external equipment.
Major General Joseph Quintana pointed out at the 2025 War Seminar that the goal of the loyal wingman is to "maximize the use of commercial items," avoiding carrying specialized refueling or loading equipment to reduce the reliance on logistics for forward deployment.
This development path of the U.S. loyal wingman project holds multiple implications for China's defense industry. First, the idea of using a large number of commercial components deserves attention. China boasts a globally leading civil aviation industrial chain; for example, COMAC's C919 airliner has achieved partial localization, and its supply chain contains mature components that might offer low-cost, high-reliability options for drone development. This "military-civil fusion" model not only reduces R&D and production costs but also enhances logistical support capabilities through the global network of civilian supply chains.
Secondly, the U.S. strategy of reducing maintenance needs and ground support equipment enables the loyal wingman to deploy quickly in remote areas or even at commercial airports of allies. This approach aims to create "multiple dilemmas," forcing adversaries to disperse resources. If China could incorporate similar concepts into drone design, it might further enhance operational flexibility in complex regions such as the South China Sea or Taiwan Strait. For instance, developing drones capable of taking off and landing on small islands or temporary bases would greatly enhance frontline combat capabilities.
Finally, the U.S. emphasis on autonomous technology also provides inspiration for China. The loyal wingman reduces reliance on ground control stations and personnel through automation, thereby decreasing logistical burdens. In recent years, China has made progress in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) autonomous navigation and swarm technologies. If it can further combine the cost advantages of commercial components, it may accelerate the formation of "affordable quality"—that is, efficient unmanned combat forces deployed at lower costs.
Of course, the U.S. model is not without challenges. Although commercial components are cost-effective and have stable supply chains, they may face durability issues in extreme combat environments. When drawing inspiration, China must balance reliability, high performance, and cost. Additionally, the U.S.'s distributed operations concept relies on networks of allies, whereas China may need to rely more on its own infrastructure. More seriously, if the loyal wingman heavily utilizes civilian components, it determines that the U.S. unmanned combat capabilities are limited in performance, making them unsuitable for high-end opponents.
In summary, the U.S. loyal wingman project, based on commercial components combined with distributed operation concepts, reduces costs and maintenance difficulties while enhancing strategic flexibility. This innovation is both an inspiration and a challenge for China. In future UAV development, China may consider deepening military-civilian integration, optimizing logistics design, and accelerating the application of autonomous technologies to build an unmanned combat system that meets modern warfare demands. For instance, China could consider incorporating products from private enterprises into the supply chain of unmanned fighter projects, but it must never sacrifice the quality of unmanned combat platforms. Facing the rapidly changing global military landscape, this direction might become a key step for China to enhance its aerospace power.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7510173554646729216/
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