In a groundbreaking demonstration at Edwards Air Force Base, an experimental F-16 fighter jet, controlled by artificial intelligence (AI) instead of a human pilot, took to the skies with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall in the front seat.
The midday flight showcased one of the most significant advances in military aviation since the introduction of stealth technology in the early 1990s.
The AI-controlled F-16, known as Vista, engaged in aerial combat with a human-piloted F-16, performing lightning-fast maneuvers at speeds exceeding 550 miles per hour and subjecting Kendall to forces five times that of gravity. The two aircraft raced within 1,000 feet of each other, twisting and turning in an attempt to gain the upper hand.
After the hour-long flight, Kendall emerged from the cockpit with a grin, expressing confidence in the AI’s ability to make decisions regarding the use of weapons in war. The Air Force has embraced AI technology, planning for a fleet of more than 1,000 unmanned warplanes, with the first set to be operational by 2028.
The shift towards AI-enabled planes is driven by security concerns, cost, and strategic capability. In a potential conflict with China, the current fleet of expensive, manned fighters would be vulnerable due to advancements in electronic warfare, space, and air defense systems.
Unmanned aircraft could provide an advance attack on enemy defenses, allowing the U.S. to penetrate airspace without risking pilot lives.
Additionally, the move towards AI-controlled jets is motivated by the high costs and production delays associated with the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.
However, the use of AI in military aviation has raised concerns among arms control experts and humanitarian groups. They fear that AI could one day autonomously drop bombs without human consultation, and are calling for greater restrictions on its use. Secretary Kendall has assured that there will always be human oversight when weapons are deployed.
According to Vista’s military operators, no other country in the world has an AI jet like it, which learns from millions of data points in a simulator before testing its conclusions during actual flights. The real-world performance data is then fed back into the simulator, allowing the AI to learn and adapt further.
The test pilots at Edwards Air Force Base are aware that they may be training their replacements or shaping a future where fewer human pilots are needed. However, they also acknowledge that they would not want to face an adversary with AI-controlled aircraft if the U.S. did not have its own fleet.
As Secretary Kendall stated, “We have to keep running. And we have to run fast.” The integration of AI into military aviation marks a significant shift in the future of warfare, and the U.S. Air Force is determined to stay ahead of the curve.