Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)’s Post

The Collaborative Combat Aircraft program represents an enormous increase in DOD investment in AI-enabled and autonomous fighter aircraft and demonstrates the key role AI could play in the future of U.S. airpower. See the latest CSIS Chart from the CSIS Wadhwani AI Center: https://lnkd.in/e4TGaV-2

The Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program represents an enormous increase in DOD investment in AI-enabled and autonomous fighter aircraft and demonstrates the key role AI could play in the future of U.S. airpower. https://lnkd.in/dRriFF_H

New AI-Controlled F-16 ✈️ 🛫 US Air Force Secretary plans to demonstrate the safety of AI-controlled fighter jets by flying in an autonomous F-16 later this year. 🛬 He'll be accompanied by a pilot, but both will mainly observe the aircraft's autonomous operations. This flight is part of the USAF's VENOM program, aiming to integrate AI into their fleet. 🛫 The program recently converted 3 F-16s at Eglin Air Force Base for full AI control. While the aircraft will be autonomous, human oversight remains crucial, with pilots ready to intervene if needed. 🛬 This initiative is part of a larger vision to create a Collaborative Combat Aircraft fleet, pairing unmanned aircraft with manned fighters. 📩 Weekly AI Newsletter: https://t.co/6HyjyF5Pwz #ai #f16 #tech #technology

The US Air Force is currently testing a self-piloting F-16 fighter jet, and Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall plans to be on board during the evaluation. Kendall is confident in the technology and will be accompanied by a pilot as observers while the autonomous system handles the flight. This test aims to explore the advantages of AI-controlled aircraft, which are expected to be more efficient and cost-effective compared to traditional piloted planes. However, there are concerns about relying too much on AI for critical decision-making. During a Senate Appropriations Committee defense panel, Kendall mentioned, "There will be a pilot with me who will just be watching, as I will be, as the autonomous technology works. Hopefully, neither he nor I will be needed to fly the airplane." #usa #jet #fighter #F16 #f16pilot #AI

The US Air Force is currently testing a self-piloting F-16 fighter jet, and Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall plans to be on board during the evaluation. Kendall is confident in the technology and will be accompanied by a pilot as observers while the autonomous system handles the flight. This test aims to explore the advantages of AI-controlled aircraft, which are expected to be more efficient and cost-effective compared to traditional piloted planes. However, there are concerns about relying too much on AI for critical decision-making. During a Senate Appropriations Committee defense panel, Kendall mentioned, "There will be a pilot with me who will just be watching, as I will be, as the autonomous technology works. Hopefully, neither he nor I will be needed to fly the airplane." #usa #jet #fighter #F16 #f16pilot #AI

The United States Air Force Secretary, Frank Kendall, flew in an AI-piloted fighter jet to test its capabilities and integration with current defence systems. At the end of the flight, Secretary Kendall declared he’d seen enough to trust AI on the battlefield. Watch the video of the test flight in our article ⬇️ #AI #militarytech #aviation #AirForce #DefenseInnovation #FrankKendall #AITechnology https://lnkd.in/d4--FqQ6

Next time someone tells you AI is not risky, show them this. Yes, such devices will be easy to 'kill' if they go wrong, but the rhetoric attached to this AI-powered arm's race is problematic. But as soon as these fighters can be piloted by more open-ended generative AI systems, you can be certain the US will experiment with it. It's a cybersecurity risk, too. While other nations may not be able to field thousands of autonomous jet fighters, they might be able to hack the enemy's. #AI #AIRisks #ML #Technology #Warfare

📰 What we're reading today: One-third of U.S. military could be robotic, Milley predicts What's new: Robots and other smart machinery will comprise up to one-third of the U.S. military in the next 10-15 years, said retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The big picture: The service branches have multiple #autonomy and #robotics initiatives underway -- •The Army is experimenting with human-machine integrated formations. •The Air Force is seeking collaborative combat aircraft that can fly alongside human pilots. •The Navy is in pursuit of a hybrid fleet with unmanned surface and underwater systems. One pioneer is Task Force 59 in the Middle East. Read more from Colin Demarest, Axios ↓

According to retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, a former chairman of The Joint Staff, robots and other smart machinery will comprise up to 1/3 of the US military in the next 10-15 years. - US Army is experimenting with what's known as human-machine integrated formations, where soldiers fight alongside automatons - United States Air Force is seeking so-called "collaborative combat" aircraft that can fly alongside human pilots to collect intelligence, confuse enemy electronics and even blow up targets - US Navy is in pursuit of a hybrid fleet, with unmanned surface and underwater vehicles augmenting the firepower of sailors and Marines. One pioneer is Task Force 59 in the Middle East #autonomoussystems #nationalsecurity #defensetechnology https://lnkd.in/gENefaXR

Other than Sec. Kendall getting behind the stick in this AI-enabled stealth aircraft (which is excellent by the way, I expect nothing less from a USMA grad 😉), I think the most interesting part of this test is that the tactics used by the aircraft have to conform to data points where G-forces on the human body are a limitation. It will be fascinating to see where fighter aircraft design goes as humans are inevitably removed from the cockpit and the limitations on manuever are removed from the equation as well. Really great to see the US taking a lead on this.