TL;DR:
- The US Air Force emphasizes the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing unmanned aircraft.
- Ongoing testing involves the X-62A experimental testbed, F-16 Viper fighter, and Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie drones.
- The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone program is a key focus, part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative.
- The Autonomous Aircraft Experimentation (AAx) initiative aims to refine AI-driven autonomous capabilities for future unmanned aircraft.
- The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), along with other entities, leads these efforts.
- Eglin Air Force Base serves as a major testing hub, with the 40th Flight Test Squadron and the Test Pilot School involved.
- The AFRL’s Skyborg program and the SDPE office are closely tied to the CCA program.
- The video highlights the MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone, potential collaboration with Boeing and the RAAF, and the significance of test environments like VISTA.
- The Air Force envisions close integration of CCAs with fifth and sixth-generation platforms, autonomous operations, and large-scale acquisitions.
- The goal is to shape the future of unmanned aircraft and enhance human-machine interfaces.
Main AI News:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is firmly establishing itself within the US Air Force, set to play a pivotal role in the advancement of unmanned aircraft. In a newly released official video, the Air Force highlights its ongoing work in this field, which includes testing using the X-62A experimental testbed, a modified F-16 Viper fighter, and Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie drones. These efforts contribute to the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drone program under the broader Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) modernization initiative.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) leads the Autonomous Aircraft Experimentation (AAx) initiative, focusing on refining and testing AI and machine learning-driven autonomous capabilities for future unmanned aircraft. The goal is to move these technologies from the lab to operational platforms. Bill “Evil” Gray, the chief test pilot at the Air Force’s Test Pilot School, explains in the video that the aim is to integrate artificially trained neural networks, honed in simulations, into controlling real-world aircraft.
Air Force Col. Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton, the chief of AI Test and Operations, emphasizes the significance of AI and autonomy in Collaborative Combat Aircraft and the future of warfare. The AFRL’s Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation (SDPE) office, along with the 40th Flight Test Squadron and the Test Pilot School, collaborates with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in this endeavor. The SDPE’s Skyborg advanced drone program is closely tied to the CCA program, serving as a key technology feeder.
Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, with its extensive offshore training ranges in the Gulf of Mexico, has become a major hub for AAx testing. The 40th Flight Test Squadron received its first XQ-58 Valkyries in October 2022 to support this work. The Air Force has been utilizing Valkyries for various testing purposes since their inaugural flight in 2019.
In the video, Air Force Maj. Ross “WEZ” Elder, a test pilot, explains that the XQ-58 is initially controlled by a ground control station but will transition to AI-driven flight. Eglin will also host six modified F-16s as part of the Viper Experimentation and Next-Gen Operations Mode (VENOM) project. These F-16s, less specialized than the Test Pilot School’s X-62A, have the ability to support autonomous flight activities. The X-62A, known as the Variable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA), is designed to simulate the flight characteristics of a wide range of crewed and uncrewed aircraft, while also capable of autonomous operation.
The AFRL video intriguingly features the MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone, originally developed by Boeing in Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Although not explicitly mentioned, the footage suggests potential flight tests involving the Ghost Bat, including a formation with an F-22. The Air Force, Boeing, and the RAAF have been contacted for further details. The MQ-28 acquisition was confirmed by the Pentagon last year, with one drone being in the United States for testing in cooperation with the Air Force. Boeing’s participation in the Skyborg program has ceased due to conflicts with its obligations to the RAAF. Boeing has released an official image of an MQ-28 in the United States, suggesting it could be a contender for the CCA program, with a carrier-capable variant also under consideration.
The AAx testing ecosystem encompasses simulators and supporting elements on the ground, allowing the Air Force to develop software-defined AI-enabled autonomous capabilities. These capabilities can be experimented with in virtual settings and subsequently tested in live flight environments. Collaboration between warfighters, technologists, andindustry experts is crucial for refining concepts and meeting operational requirements.
Test environments, such as the VISTA aircraft, provide opportunities to demonstrate and experiment with various concepts alongside fifth-generation aircraft like the F-22 and F-35. Maj. Elder emphasizes the importance of gathering data and lessons learned from controlled test environments to guide the development of desired capabilities.
The Air Force’s vision involves integrating CCAs closely with fifth and sixth-generation platforms. These drones are expected to operate alongside fourth-generation fighters and non-stealthy aircraft while also possessing the capability for autonomous operations individually or as networked swarms.
The Air Force plans to acquire a minimum of 1,000 CCAs, but this number could potentially increase significantly. The concept involves pairing two CCAs with each of the 200 NGAD combat jets and an additional 300 F-35As. Maj. Elder underscores that these developments pave the way for future capabilities and shape human-machine interfaces aboard F-22 and F-35 aircraft.
The AFRL’s AAx video showcases a mix of real footage and computer-generated imagery, featuring F-22s, non-stealthy F-15E Strike Eagles, and various drones. The video underscores the Air Force’s commitment to harnessing the power of AI and autonomy to revolutionize unmanned aircraft and shape the future battlefield.
Conclusion:
The US Air Force’s focus on AI and autonomy in unmanned aircraft signifies a major shift in the market. This emphasis on technological advancements and integration with advanced platforms opens up new opportunities for defense contractors, technology providers, and industry collaboration. The demand for AI-enabled and autonomous capabilities will continue to grow, creating a market for innovative solutions and driving the development of next-generation unmanned systems.
