Elijah Thomas’ Post

✈️ Advancing the Future of Aviation: AI Takes the Pilot's Seat ✈️ In a historic moment at Edwards Air Force Base, an experimental F-16 jet took to the skies, but with a groundbreaking twist: it was controlled by artificial intelligence, not a human pilot. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall had a firsthand experience of this technological leap, riding along in the cockpit. This milestone underscores the profound impact of #AI on military #aviation, akin to the introduction of stealth technology in the 1990s. The Air Force's ambitious plans include deploying over 1,000 unmanned warplanes equipped with AI by 2028, signaling a paradigm shift in aerial combat strategies. Read more 👇 #defense

An experimental F-16 fighter jet, Vista, controlled entirely by artificial intelligence (AI), recently took U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall on a historic flight, showcasing extreme aerial maneuvers at over 550 mph and pulling up to 5 times the force of gravity. The U.S. military's push for AI-enabled aircraft is driven by national security interests to counter advances by potential adversaries like China. Unmanned AI jets could lead future swarms attacking enemy defenses to allow manned aircraft through. Cost savings over expensive manned fighters like the F-35 are also a major factor. Vista is unique in that its AI system learns from simulated data, then tests and incorporates learnings from actual flight performances in an iterative process. Some versions are already outperforming human pilots in air combat simulations. While concerning to some pilots, most see it as necessary to maintain superiority over adversaries pursuing similar technologies. Kendall argues the security risk of not adopting AI for military aircraft is too great. #defence #aviation #ai #strategicforesight

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

US Air Force Successfully Conducts AI-Piloted Fighter Jet Dogfights The US Air Force, in collaboration with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), has achieved a significant milestone in developing autonomous aerial combat capabilities. An experimental fighter jet, the X-62A VISTA, has engaged in the first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI)-fueled dogfights, marking a substantial leap in the military's pursuit of AI-driven combat technologies. This achievement is a crucial step forward in the Air Force's quest to refine its plans for autonomous drone wingmen, or collaborative combat aircraft. Let's delve into the details of this groundbreaking development. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gWW2zA5S

"Imagine the skies of the future, filled not with human piloted jets, but AI-directed ones! 🚀 An orange and white F-16 recently roared into the skies above Edwards Air Force Base - controlled not by a human, but by artificial intelligence. As the AI-controlled F-16 took flight, it wasn't just any ordinary flight. On board was Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. 💼 But what does this step forward mean for modern warfare? And how are test pilots training these AI agents for combat? 🎯 We explore these questions and more in our new article. The future of military aviation is taking shape and it’s looking smarter than ever. 🌐 #AI #MilitaryAviation #TechInnovation"

Opening statement: The U.S. Air Force has made a groundbreaking leap in military aviation by incorporating AI into fighter jets, ushering in a new era of national security and defense. Key points: - AI-powered aircraft, like the F-16 named Vista, are set to revolutionize aerial combat and minimize risks to human pilots. - By 2028, the Air Force plans to operate over 1,000 unmanned AI-enabled warplanes as the first line of defense. - AI systems in fighter jets learn from vast data points in simulators and refine their learning through real-world flight data. Industry news: According to recent reports, AI-powered fighter jets are already surpassing the capabilities of human pilots in air-to-air combat, highlighting the immense potential of this technology. Call to action: To delve deeper into the fascinating world of AI in military aviation and stay informed about the latest developments, visit the official website of the United States Air Force or follow their social media channels for regular updates and insights. Engagement question: How do you think the integration of AI into fighter jets will shape the future of military aviation and national defense strategies? #ArtificialIntelligence #MilitaryAviation #FighterJets #NationalSecurity #USAirForce

Today on Breaking Defense we put out the first of four videos focused on the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which seeks to create loyal wingman drones that will fly alongside its fleet of fighters. I hope you'll check it out at https://lnkd.in/ehRFB8rV CCA is a major program with a ton of different angles to cover, and we used this first video to really touch the topline- what a CCA is, who is involved in the competition and why the Air Force is pursuing it. Michael Marrow Valerie Insinna and Stacie Pettyjohn did a fantastic job, and Daniel Woolfolk masterfully crafted it with high production values. I think anyone with a passing interest in CCA will get a lot out of this video. In the coming weeks we'll roll out further videos, focused respectively on the CONOPS for using CCA, how international allies (and adversaries) are pursuing their own loyal wingman efforts, and what technologies need to be developed to make sure CCAs can actually take flight.

Game-changing advancements in pilot training. The U.S. Air Force and DARPA have successfully staged the first AI vs. human pilot dogfights using the X-62A VISTA jet. This groundbreaking test under the ACE program marks a significant leap towards integrating AI in critical air warfare operations, promising a new era of autonomous capabilities. Could this be the future of aerial combat? #USAF #AerospaceInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #MilitaryTech #AirCombatEvolution #FutureOfFlight

THE NEW MISSILEER @DARPA - Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAV) will play a significant role in future defense planning, and they wil need flexible launch platforms for deployment. Building on the proposed F6D Missileer concept (https://lnkd.in/ezKKVPg8), conversions of the S-3B Viking (https://lnkd.in/e3AGvG6b, currently in storage) could enhance preliminary development of such an aircraft. With minimal modifications to the airframe, hardpoints on the wing could carry UCAVs and AIM-120s for self-defense, and the existing storage for ordnance and sonobuoys would be replaced by conformal storage of UCAVs. Existing 4-crew cockpit and electronics bays would be updated with modern equipment for communications, navigation, and UCAV guidance. ====================

At the AUSA Global Force conference, Army leaders revealed a proposal to integrate drone and robotics platoons, dubbed RAS (Robotic and Autonomous Systems), into armored brigade combat teams to enhance battlefield capabilities. Spearheaded by Brig. Gen. Geoffrey Norman, the initiative aims to incorporate these platoons into the Army's force design, marking a significant step towards modernizing military operations with advanced robotics. The Army is currently experimenting to determine the optimal number of RAS platoons per brigade, with potential expansion into other brigade types. The incorporation of RAS platoons, which utilize a variety of drones and robotic vehicles, including those capable of carrying anti-tank weapons, represents a shift towards leveraging technology for increased effectiveness and safety in combat scenarios. This move could lead to the widespread use of ground robots and drones across the Army's 11 active and five National Guard armored brigade combat teams, with further expansion possible, underscoring the military's commitment to innovating warfare and prioritizing soldier safety. #army #drones #robotics #militaryinnovation #combatvehicles #ausaglobalforce #futurecombat #rasplatoons #technology #soldiersafety Source- https://lnkd.in/gje4cRid