Dayton said the Air Force plans to pattern its MMA contracting process similarly to its Collaborative Combat Aircraft program for semi-autonomous autonomous fighter jets. For MMA, the Air Force aims to award multiple contracts late this year. The MQ-9 was “the most valuable player” of Operation Epic Fury against Iran, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in May. At $16 million or more per copy—and new MQ-9s no longer in production—those losses were more costly than the Air Force would have liked, however. As for MMA, Dayton did not specifiy a preferred price point, saying only that DIU’s notice indicated $30 million was too expensive.