Everyone won in this scenario. In September, an Air Force F-16 fighter plane running on artificial intelligence successfully completed a dogfight exercise against a human pilot for the first time. The first footage of the event was recently released, and it marks a significant step forward in creating machine learning applications for aircraft.
The X-62A, also known as the Variable In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft, was developed as part of DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program. Modern technology makes dogfighting a more outdated form of aerial combat, but it is useful for testing the X-62A because it is complex and unpredictable. The Air Force also has strict safety rules when training for dogfighting at certain altitudes, making it an excellent scenario for proving that the AI can be used safely and reliably in the air.
The Air Force is continuing to conduct these exercises as it looks to improve the AI and how it’s used. These tests will help to establish guidelines for ethical use of the technology, as well as encouraging pilots’ trust in the AI. “The potential for autonomous air-to-air combat has been imaginable for decades, but the reality has remained a distant dream up until now. In 2023, the X-62A broke one of the most significant barriers in combat aviation,” said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall.
