IFC 2025: GA-ASI reveals Gambit 6 CCA for air-to-surface operations

An artist's rendering of the Gambit 6 operating in concert with manned and other unmanned aircraft. GA-ASI has developed the airframe with a particular emphasis on air-to-surface operations. (GA-ASI)

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has revealed the latest in its series of Gambit unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) that are geared as serving as ‘loyal wingman' adjuncts to manned combat aircraft.

Gambit 6, which is weighted towards air-to-surface combat operations, was formally disclosed on 4 November at the IQPC International Fighter Conference (IFC) 2025 in Rome.

“The latest iteration of the Gambit series of unmanned combat [aerial] vehicles (UCAVs) from GA-ASI is Gambit 6, a CCA that adds air-to-ground operations to its already proven air-to-air capability. The multirole platform is optimised for roles such as electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD), and deep precision strike, making it a versatile option for evolving defence needs,” GA-ASI said.

Billed as having a modular architecture and signature-reducing internal weapons bay, the Gambit 6 will be available for international procurement starting in 2027, with European-specific versions deliverable in 2029. “GA-ASI is building industry partnerships throughout Europe with the aim of providing sovereign capabilities for all its platforms,” the company said.

Speaking at IFC 2025, Patrick Shortsleeve, vice-president of DoD Strategic Development at GA-ASI, said of the Gambit series specifically and of CCAs in general, “There are changes that are already under way, but they are not to replace pilots but to enhance [their] capabilities. We are not building robots to replace fighter pilots.”