GA-ASI and U.S. Air Force Demonstrate Autonomous Infrared Sensing for Collaborative Combat Aircraft

The exercise showcased the MQ-20 Avenger's ability to use a proliferated low-Earth orbit datalink for autonomous behaviors and passive targeting.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 7:35am

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A highly detailed, glowing 3D macro illustration of an uncrewed aerial vehicle's infrared sensor array, with neon cyan and magenta lights illuminating the complex cybernetic hardware, conceptually representing the advanced sensor technologies enabling autonomous behaviors in future air combat.Autonomous uncrewed aircraft leverage advanced infrared sensors and passive targeting to coordinate mission execution and engage threats in contested airspace.San Diego Today

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) and the U.S. Air Force conducted an autonomy flight exercise that demonstrated developments in the operation of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), including the use of infrared sensing and passive targeting techniques. The exercise featured GA-ASI's MQ-20 Avenger uncrewed jet, which served as a surrogate CCA testbed and showcased its ability to use a proliferated low-Earth orbit datalink to coordinate autonomy behaviors while performing infrared sensing during a large force exercise.

Why it matters

The demonstration highlighted how autonomy software can support coordinated mission execution and targeting across distributed aircraft, which is crucial for future air combat and CCA operations, especially in denied or contested electromagnetic environments.

The details

The MQ-20 performed infrared sensing with single-ship ranging (SSR) and mission execution using GA-ASI's TacPad Pilot Vehicle Interface. GA-ASI's TacACE, or Tactical Autonomy Ecosystem, demonstrated passive target localization using SSR with an infrared search and track sensor, enabling the uncrewed aircraft to estimate target range and track airborne threats without relying on active radar emissions.

  • The exercise was conducted on February 24, 2026.

The players

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI)

An American company that develops and manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), tactical reconnaissance radars, and electro-optical surveillance systems.

U.S. Air Force

The air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, responsible for air superiority, global integrated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and a variety of other functions.

MQ-20 Avenger

An uncrewed jet aircraft developed by GA-ASI that has served as a surrogate CCA platform for more than five years, supporting autonomy development efforts.

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What they’re saying

“Integrated within the TacACE's modular skills library, SSR supports autonomous mission execution, cooperative targeting, and distributed kill chains, advancing the role of autonomous aircraft in future air combat and CCA operations. This flight was part of a large forces exercise and allowed internal investment to showcase GA-ASI's capabilities.”

— Mike Atwood, Vice President of Advanced Programs for GA-ASI

What’s next

The U.S. Air Force and GA-ASI plan to continue collaborating on further development and testing of autonomous capabilities for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, with a focus on expanding the use of infrared sensing and passive targeting techniques.

The takeaway

This exercise demonstrates the growing importance of autonomous systems and advanced sensor technologies in the future of air combat, as the military seeks to develop more versatile and survivable Collaborative Combat Aircraft that can operate in contested environments.