Rafale AI trials highlight shift towards operational fighter testbeds
The Rafale multirole fighter has been ordered by nine countries. (Photo: US Air Force)
Dassault’s latest Rafale trials join Gripen E and F-16 testing as developers explore how artificial intelligence could support and control combat aircraft.
Dassault Aviation’s announcement on 22 September that it has flight-tested two artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms on a Rafale fighter jet is part of a growing focus among militaries bringing AI into combat aircraft.
Notably, these efforts are being pursued on established fighter platforms rather than waiting for a new generation of aircraft to enter service, allowing militaries to test and mature AI capabilities within existing combat-air architectures.
According to Dassault, one of the algorithms tested was created by the French company’s own engineers, while the second one was developed with French electronics manufacturer Thales. Thales is already heavily involved with
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