By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow
In a historic event on May 3, 2024, Frank Kendall, the Secretary of the US Air Force, took to the skies in an F-16 fighter aircraft, not controlled by a human but by artificial intelligence (AI). This flight, which took place over the Californian desert, marks a significant step forward in the evolution of air warfare.
Kendall had previously shared his intention to participate in such a flight during a discussion with the US Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense panel. He emphasized the increasing reliance on autonomously operated drones in the future of air combat.
This event could be seen as one of the most significant advancements in military aviation since the introduction of stealth planes in the early 1990s. The flight took place at Edwards Air Force Base, a location steeped in aviation history as the site where Chuck Yeager first broke the sound barrier.
Following the flight, Kendall expressed his views on the importance of AI in air combat to the Associated Press. He stated, “It’s a security risk not to have it. At this point, we have to have it.”
The AI-controlled F-16, named Vista, demonstrated its capabilities by flying Kendall in maneuvers that reached speeds exceeding 550 mph and subjected his body to nearly five times the force of gravity. Accompanying Vista was a human-piloted F-16, and the two aircraft engaged in a series of twists and loops, simulating a combat scenario.
The Pentagon’s 2023 Data, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Adoption Strategy is a testament to the Department of Defense’s (DOD) commitment to harnessing the power of AI in modern warfare. This strategy is not just a blueprint for the future but a reflection of the ongoing efforts to maintain the United States’ competitive edge in the rapidly evolving field of AI.
The strategy emphasizes an agile approach to AI development and application, focusing on speed of delivery and adoption at scale. This approach is designed to yield five specific decision advantage outcomes, which could potentially revolutionize the way the military operates.
One of the most exciting applications of this strategy is the development of the AI-Controlled F-16 Jet Fighter Plane. This advanced war weapon represents a significant leap forward in airforce weaponry. The AI-controlled F-16 is not just a fighter plane, but a sophisticated AI system capable of making split-second decisions in battle.
Despite ongoing work to improve the reliability of AI, Kendall expressed his confidence in the technology. He believes that human oversight will always be necessary when considering the use of weapons.
The US Air Force plans to operate a fleet of over 1,000 AI-controlled drones by 2028. The Pentagon is also looking to develop new AI-guided aircraft and has offered contracts to several private companies to compete for this opportunity.
The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) project, part of a $6 billion program, aims to add at least 1,000 new drones to the Air Force. These drones will be designed to accompany human-piloted jets, providing cover and acting as escorts with full weapons capabilities.
Despite the potential benefits of AI, such as cost-cutting, there are concerns about falling behind other nations, such as China, which has modernized its air defense systems. These systems pose a significant risk to manned aircraft, and drones can potentially disrupt these defense systems, providing a strategic advantage.
