Poland Won’t Repeat the F-35 Mistake: Why Warsaw Wants Unmanned Wingmen for F-16s (CCA)

Poland is signaling a major shift in how it wants to fight in the air: not just with new manned fighters, but with unmanned “loyal wingmen” designed to fly alongside piloted jets. In this video, we break down Poland’s interest in Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and why Warsaw says it won’t repeat the mistakes it made during the early F-35 Joint Strike Fighter era. The key idea is simple but disruptive: unmanned combat aircraft can extend sensors, carry extra weapons, absorb risk, and multiply a fighter’s options in contested airspace—potentially working not only with fifth-generation platforms like the F-35, but also with F-16s and even future sixth-generation systems. We also examine how this fits Poland’s broader fighter plans, including the possibility of additional F-16 Block 70s, more F-35s, or entirely new options like the F-15EX, Eurofighter, or KF-21. And we look at why Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat keeps showing up in the conversation—and what “industrial participation” and early program access could mean for Poland’s defense industry and NATO interoperability. If the next decade of airpower is about team tactics—manned aircraft coordinating semi-autonomous wingmen—then the countries that shape the standards early may gain a lasting advantage. The question is no longer only “which fighter is better,” but “which ecosystem wins.” Keywords: Poland CCA, Collaborative Combat Aircraft, loyal wingman drone, unmanned fighter wingman, F-16 drone wingman, MQ-28 Ghost Bat, Boeing Ghost Bat, Poland Air Force modernization, F-35 mistake Poland, F-15EX Poland, Eurofighter Poland, KF-21 Poland, NATO airpower, sixth-generation fighters, manned-unmanned teaming, MUM-T, contested airspace, electronic warfare, next-gen air combat Pinned comment (high-retention, engagement-focused): If unmanned wingmen can truly fly with F-16s—not just F-35s—does that change Poland’s best fighter choice: more F-16s, more F-35s, or a new type like F-15EX/Eurofighter/KF-21? Drop your pick and the one capability you think matters most: sensors, weapons payload, EW, or survivability.