TechAI takes flight: Air Force Secretary tests autonomous F-16, eyeing future fleet

AI takes flight: Air Force Secretary tests autonomous F‑16, eyeing future fleet

Modified F-16, which allows for testing AI capabilities

Images source: © U.S. Air Force | Mr. Alex R. Lloyd (GS-12)

5:41 PM EDT, May 6, 2024

Frank Kendall, the Secretary of the Air Force in the USA, took to the skies for an hour-long flight in an F-16 fighter jet controlled by artificial intelligence (AI). Cruising at speeds above 560 mph, the aircraft soared over Edwards Base, where it engaged in a mock confrontation with an F-16 piloted by a human. This test flight is part of the US's ambitious plan to develop a fleet of 1,000 autonomous machines to enhance its combat capabilities against potential adversaries.

The US Air Force is actively working on assembling a fleet of over 1,000 machines with autonomous control systems. These assets are aimed at augmenting aerial combat efficiency in future conflicts. The specifics of the fleet, whether it will comprise drones, AI-guided combat aircraft, or other platforms, remain under wraps. Nonetheless, the successful trial of the autonomous F-16 fighter, also referred to as the X-62A or VISTA, marks a significant milestone in evaluating AI's potential in piloting combat aircraft.

F-16 under AI Control

During the one-hour flight in the autonomous fighter jet, Kendall experienced firsthand the aircraft's capabilities, including a head-to-head race against a manned F-16, executing various flight maneuvers, and assuming combat formations as reported by Sky News. Remarkably, at one point during the flight, the aircraft flew within just 984 feet of each other. Upon disembarking, Kendall emphasized the strategic necessity of such technology, stating, "Not having it [the autonomous fighter] is a threat to security. At this point, we must have it."

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AI Takes Flight: F-16 Versus AI in Groundbreaking Aerial Combat Test

As part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) project, autonomous drones are undergoing tests, with the US planning to deploy a fleet of 1,000 such vehicles. The initial batch is slated for commission in 2028. Pilots participating in the project have observed that the AI's rapid learning capabilities have enabled some of the aircraft to outmaneuver human pilots in simulations. According to the Eurasian Times, operators of the X-62A surmise it to be the world's sole aircraft equipped with AI that first masters tactics through millions of data points in a simulator before validating its strategies in actual flights.

The pivot towards autonomous machines underscores the US Air Force's strategy to engage adversaries and breach their air defenses without endangering human pilots. Besides tactical advantages, autonomous aircraft offer a cost-efficient alternative, a considerable benefit given the budget overruns and delays plaguing the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.