By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Contributor
The first three F-16 Fighting Falcons landed at the Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to be modified with autonomous self-flying capabilities- a Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operations Model-Autonomy Flying Testbed, popularly called the Venom program.
The Venom program aims to accelerate autonomous technology testing on crewed and uncrewed aircraft, with the hope that this autonomous technology tested under Venom could help shape plans to create a fleet of self-flying drones known as collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs). The service focuses on creating a fleet of at least 1,000 CCAs, using autonomous capabilities to fly alongside aircraft such as the F-35 or future Next-Generation Air Dominance family of fighter systems.
Maj. Ross Elder, the developmental test lead for the VENOM program, emphasized the program’s potential to redefine air combat paradigms by fostering novel autonomous functions for current and future crewed and uncrewed platforms. This initiative is not just about testing; it’s about leading a measured step toward a new aviation age. The VENOM program will be rigorously tested by the 40th Flight Test Squadron and the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, similar to the testing protocols for F-16 and F-15 aircraft.
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Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Castor, the operational test lead for VENOM, highlights the collaborative nature of this endeavor, noting that the co-location of developmental and operational test pilots facilitates a seamless exchange of knowledge and experience, thereby enhancing the testing process.
Now, the integration of autonomous technology into military aircraft like the F-16 is a game-changer. It’s about reducing the risk to human pilots and enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness. Autonomous systems can process information and make decisions faster than humans, potentially giving them an edge in the fast-paced environment of aerial combat.
The presence of pilots in the cockpit during the VENOM program’s testing phase highlights the importance of human oversight in autonomous systems. Lt. Col. Joe Gagnon, commander of Eglin’s 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron, highlighted the ‘human-on-the-loop’ aspect of this testing, ensuring that a pilot would be involved in the autonomy in real-time and maintain the ability to start and stop specific algorithms. He continued;
There will never be a time when the VENOM aircraft will solely ‘fly by itself’ without a human component.
As the VENOM-AFT program progresses, it will undoubtedly influence the future of aerial combat. The integration of autonomous systems into combat aircraft could lead to new tactics, strategies, and doctrines. Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs), informed by programs like VENOM, could become a staple of future air forces, operating alongside manned aircraft to achieve mission objectives.
However, the introduction of autonomous systems also raises new challenges and questions. How will these systems interact with human pilots and ground control? How can we ensure that they operate safely and reliably? And how will they change the nature of warfare and the balance of power among nations?
OLAWALE ABAIRE is a Warrior researcher, writer and analyst who has written many published nonfiction books
