US Military Conducts First High-Speed Robot vs. Pilot Dogfight, Exceeding 1,200 mph

The US Air Force has reached a significant milestone in autonomous air combat, demonstrating the remarkable potential of AI-controlled aircraft.

Breakthrough Achievement in Autonomous Air Combat

Thanks to the unparalleled ingenuity and dedication of the US Air Force, a groundbreaking milestone has been reached in autonomous air combat. The first successful dogfight between an AI-controlled experimental aircraft and a manned fighter jet was carried out by an F-16 variant, the X-62A VISTA. This remarkable feat was accomplished after over 21 test flights and more than 100,000 lines of software changes, proving that the autonomous system can dogfight without pilots needing to disengage it.

The X-62A engaged in close-range aerial engagements with an F-16, showcasing machine learning-based autonomy for flight-critical systems. This is a true testament to American engineering prowess and military might.

Official Statements on the Achievement

“The potential for autonomous air-to-air combat has been imaginable for decades, but the reality has remained a distant dream up until now,” Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall stated. “In 2023, the X-62A broke one of the most significant barriers in combat aviation. This is a transformational moment, all made possible by breakthrough accomplishments of the X-62A ACE team.”

Implications for Military and Commercial Aviation

This significant breakthrough in autonomous air combat is a testament to the power of American innovation and our unyielding commitment to maintaining our military superiority.

“We have to be able to trust these algorithms to use them in a real-world setting,” Lt. Col. Ryan Hefron said.

The Air Force rightfully recognized that “the first-ever use of machine-learning-based autonomy in flight-critical systems will serve as a foundation for future aerospace AI advances that are both safer and more reliable in both commercial and defense applications.”

Future Prospects and Collaborative Efforts

Continued testing will further advance the use of machine learning for both commercial and military aviation applications, ensuring America continues to lead the way.

“It’s very easy to look at the X-62A ACE program and see it as under autonomous control, it can dogfight, but that misses the point,” said Bill Gray, the Test Pilot School’s chief test pilot. “Dogfighting was the problem to solve so we could start testing autonomous artificial intelligence systems in the air. Every lesson we’re learning applies to every task you could give to an autonomous system.”

This program involves collaboration between government, academic and industry partners, proving once again that when we work together for a common goal, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.

Source: Newsroom