US Air Force AI-powered F-16 training jet takes the skies
VISTA is currently undergoing a series of routine inspections and flights will resume at Edwards Air Force Base throughout 2023. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin has flown the world’s first AI-powered training aircraft, the Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft (VISTA) X-62A for more than 17 hours.
This took place as part of 12 flight tests conducted at the end of last year, but Lockheed Martin only announced it this month. The trials were conducted in support of the USAF Test Center, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and DARPA.
According to a 412th Test Wing news release, AFRL’s Autonomous Air Combat Operations (AACO) and DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution (ACE) AI-driven autonomy agents piloted the USAF Test Pilot School’s (USAF TPS's) X-62A to perform advanced fighter manoeuvres.
AACO’s AI
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Training
-
Singapore Army experiments with robot dog teaming at Exercise Forging Sabre
The Singapore Army is testing robotic dogs and UAVs for urban operations on exercise in the US.
-
UK bomb disposal teams training Ukrainian engineers to clear minefields
In the ongoing struggle to address Ukraine's status as the world's most heavily mined nation, the UK has initiated an intensive programme to train Ukrainian engineers.
-
US Navy embraces AI to enhance training
In a strategic move to expedite training development and analysis, the US Navy is planning to harness the power of AI.
-
US assists Philippine Air Force ISR training
At the request of the Philippine government, the 505th Training Squadron located at Hurlburt Field, Florida sent a team of USAF Air Operations Center Formal Training Unit instructors to Villamor Air Base, Philippines.
-
Elbit UK’s Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer delivers nearly 5,000 training hours
Elbit Systems UK’s Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer (JFST) has officially achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC).