General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is partnering with Spirit Defense, a Boeing Company, to support airframe production of the new FQ-42 Vengeance Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). GA-ASI won a contract from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to produce FQ-42 in June.
As a design-and-build partner for the fuselage, Spirit Defense contributes its engineering and manufacturing expertise to handle everything from initial design to final assembly. This collaboration boosts GA-ASI’s capabilities and the nation’s overall production capacity, allowing the program to accelerate and meet growing demand more efficiently.
Since its founding in 1992, GA-ASI has exclusively produced its line of uncrewed aircraft. The partnership with Spirit Defense now expands production capacity, addressing the Air Force’s need for greater resilience as it scales up the CCA program.
David R. Alexander, president of GA-ASI, expressed enthusiasm about working with Spirit Defense, highlighting the company’s track record in designing, developing, and manufacturing the FQ-42. He noted that adding Spirit’s resources directly supports the Air Force’s goal of strengthening production reliability for the CCA initiative.
The FQ-42 is a specialized uncrewed fighter designed in collaboration with the Air Force as part of its push toward next-generation semi-autonomous aircraft. Its flexible architecture allows for quick integration of mission systems and autonomous software updates.
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GA-ASI’s flight-tested software framework underpins advanced human-machine teaming in high-stakes combat environments. Meanwhile, the company is engaging with foreign militaries interested in the Gambit Series, a family of modular CCAs, offering adaptable solutions for diverse operational needs.
Countries considering the Gambit Series can incorporate local production elements and customize the aircraft with their own sensors, weapons, and combat systems. This flexibility makes the platform well-suited to changing security challenges worldwide.
Spirit Defense, a Boeing-owned defense supplier, delivers engineering, design-build services, and manufacturing support for critical defense projects. The company accelerates innovation by transitioning concepts into production through rapid prototyping, scalable manufacturing, and aerospace-proven methods.
GA-ASI stands as the global leader in uncrewed aircraft systems, with over 9 million cumulative flight hours. The firm specializes in high-endurance, multi-role platforms that provide continuous surveillance and rapid strike capabilities.