General Atomics partners with Boeing's Spirit Defense to boost FQ-42 Vengeance production

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced a partnership with Boeing’s Spirit Defense subsidiary to support the manufacture of the FQ-42 Vengeance “loyal wingman” drone. Under the deal, Spirit Defense will handle fuselage design and construction, contributing its engineering and advanced-manufacturing expertise to increase production capacity and reduce supply-chain vulnerabilities. Financial details and the planned production run have not been released.

The FQ-42, introduced in 2026, is a high-subsonic, unmanned combat aircraft designed for the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiative, capable of carrying weapons such as AIM-120 missiles and operating under human-machine teaming concepts. The partnership marks a rare move for General Atomics, which has historically produced its drones in-house, and leverages Spirit Defense’s experience supporting Boeing programs like the B-52 and B-21. Officials say the collaboration aims to ensure the Air Force can field the autonomous platform at scale.