Venom Program: Air Force Converts F-16s Into Unmanned Attack Drones

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.