The FQ-42A Dark Merlin is a collaborative combat aircraft developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for the US Air Force's drone wingman programme. The USAF ordered both the FQ-42A and Anduril's competing FQ-44A into production, with the aircraft officially named Vengeance and Fury respectively.
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Airframe / lift type | Fixed-wing |
| Control / autonomy level | Semi-autonomous (human-on-the-loop), Swarm / cooperative |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – military | Armed UCAV, ISR |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | Turbine / jet |
| Signature / detectability | RCS – large, RF-emitting |
| Speed regime | High-speed / jet (>400 km/h) |
| Strike depth / operational role | Recon-strike complex (ISR + strike paired, e.g. Mavic + FPV, Orlan + Lancet) |
| Weight / class | Class III – Strike / Combat (>600 kg), FAA >25 kg (Part 137 / waiver) |
| Confidence | low |