Air Force Secretary takes AI-powered F-16 to the skies in groundbreaking flight

Published on June 29, 2024

 

Frank Kendall, the Secretary of the USA Air Force, embarked on an hour-long flight in an F-16 fighter jet governed by artificial intelligence. Travelling at over 900 km/h (approximately 560 mph), the jet soared above Edwards Base, engaging in a simulated confrontation with a human-piloted F-16. The Americans aim to assemble 1,000 autonomous units to counteract potential adversaries.

The US Air Force is developing a fleet of over 1,000 autonomously controlled machines designed for aerial combat support in future conflicts. The exact composition of this fleet, whether it will include drones, AI-directed combat aircraft, or other platforms, remains uncertain. Yet, the trial involving the autonomous F-16 fighter (also referred to as X-62A or VISTA) marks a significant step towards validating the capabilities of AI-controlled aircraft.

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