The Europeans are, indeed, coming. Yesterday, in a plot twist very few expected, the US and the Netherlands signed a letter of intent stating that the northern European nation will participate in the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program.
According to Dutch State Secretary for Defense Gijs Tuinman, his country has now unlocked “full access” to the loyal wingman program, currently helmed by Anduril and General Atomics. The Netherlands also signed an agreement to collaborate with GA on drone tech—so we can guess who they’ve picked as their program favorite.
Everyone really does love a tiny little plane, don’t they?
BFFs: First, a bit of context for the uninitiated on the CCA program: The idea of the Air Force initiative is to build autonomous fighter jet-like aircraft that can fly (and fight) alongside manned platforms like the F-35.
- Anduril and General Atomics won the competition to build production-ready prototypes for the program in April 2024.
- GA’s variant flew (a wee bit) for the first time back in August, and Anduril is planning for a “semi-autonomous” first flight this month, according to company officials. However, that could be delayed by the government shutdown.
- Other companies, including Lockheed Martin, have also unveiled concepts for “loyal wingmen.”
European defense giant Helsing (dramatically) unveiled its own, continental CCA concept last month, but the northern Europeans seem to be casting their eyes across the pond.
Holding hands: Considering the Netherlands was the second international partner to receive the F-35 (Norway was the first, go Nordics), it would make sense they want access to the fun, fly-y, swarm-y things that will make it even deadlier.
The country said in its letter of intent that these paired “unmanned air systems can significantly increase the effectiveness of manned fighter aircraft such as the F-35 – for instance, by offering additional sensor range, additional weapons and by carrying out high-risk missions over enemy territory.”
While Tuinman seemed gung-ho on CCA, the exact shape of the country’s participation remains a little murky—it’s unclear whether they will become an investor, whether they will co-produce with GA, or whether they will be an observer. A US Air Force official told Breaking Defense that “both nations will explore opportunities to jointly develop, test, and evaluate CCA technologies, mission systems, and employment concepts that strengthen interoperability across allied air forces.”
For what it’s worth, Denmark also announced its official intention to acquire CCA along with 16 additional F-35s last week. Sorry, Helsing.
Teeny tiny: The Dutch partnership with GA, however, is a bit more fleshed out. For now, officials say that they’ll start working with the prime on a smaller drone for ISR for NATO allies and Ukraine, which they expect to fly by year’s end. Full-rate European production is expected to kick off next year—production in the Netherlands will be carried out by Dutch firm VDL Defentec.
In announcing his country’s intent to scoop up some CCAs, Tuinman also highlighted that his country could help American firms sell to the rest of Europe. “The Netherlands is like the jumping pad for the United States to get into Europe,” he told reporters. That will be music to the ears of at least a few firms we can think of.
Let the puddle jumping continue.