America names new fighter drone Dark Merlin

America names new fighter drone Dark Merlin

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has announced that its U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft will carry the designation YFQ-42A Dark Merlin, as the uncrewed fighter progresses through flight testing. The San Diego-based company said the name draws on the dark merlin falcon, described as a small but aggressive bird of prey known for speed and surprise attacks. The aircraft’s manufacturing home in southern California overlaps with the …

General Atomics’ YFQ-42A CCA Gets a Nickname: ‘Dark Merlin’

AURORA, Colo.—General Atomics dubbed its YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft “Dark Merlin,” consistent with the Air Force’s tradition of naming attack aircraft after birds of prey. The company announced the new name Feb. 23 at the start of AFA’s Warfare Symposium here. Merlins are a species of falcon, known for being used in falconry and capable of flying at 30 miles per hour or faster. The “dark” or “black” merlin is a subspecies that mostl…

GA-ASI announces YFQ-42A Dark merlin

SAN DIEGO – 23 February 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is giving its U.S. Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft a new name: YFQ-42A Dark Merlin. Dark merlins, deadly falcons known for their black feathers and devouring of other falcons as prey, often collaborate in groups for maximum effect against their targets. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes the merlin as a “small, fierce falcon that uses surprise attack…

Dark Merlin Is The Name Of General Atomics' YFQ-42A Fighter Drone

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GA-ASI Announces YFQ-42A Dark Merlin – DIR HONGKONG

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