Following recent news that the US Air Force is utilizing AI to pilot combat aircraft, practicing dogfights against manned F-16s, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall took a hands-on approach last week. He flew in the X-62A VISTA combat aircraft to experience the AI-driven system firsthand, sitting in the front seat while allowing the AI system developed by the Air Force in collaboration with DARPA to control the simulated combat flights. Throughout the testing, Kendall, along with reserve pilots in the back, remained passive, not interfering with the AI’s operations.
In a post-test interview, Kendall expressed that air-to-air combat controlled by AI has long been a dream, now realized. Despite being a former ground military officer, Kendall emphasized the necessity and confidence in AI-controlled aircraft systems for national security. He stated that the cost-effective nature of AI-piloted aircraft compared to traditional manned aircraft poses a solution to the ongoing challenges faced by the US military with programs like the F-35.
Revealing the Air Force’s intention to have over 1,000 unmanned combat aircraft, with the first set to be operational by 2028, Kendall highlighted the strategic shift towards AI-driven aviation. The source of this information comes directly from the U.S. Air Force and the Associated Press.
TLDR: US Air Force experiments with AI-guided combat aircraft, demonstrating the potential for over 1,000 unmanned aircraft by 2028 as a cost-effective and strategic alternative to traditional manned aircraft.
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