DARPA, or the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, has created an AI algorithm to control a self-flying F-16 fighter jet. The test flight was performed on a modified F-16D Block 30 Peace Marble Il plane, which had been updated with Block 40 avionics and was known as the VISTA X-62A. The autonomous jet was developed as part of DARPA's Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program and was flown by a safety pilot from the Air Force Test Pilot School in California. While the jet was found to be capable of flying on its own, a safety pilot was present as a precaution.
The goal of the ACE program is to provide pilots with training and information on how to fly an AI jet, including visual-range air combat tests. The autonomous F-16 jet is one of over 600 AI Department of Defense projects currently being developed by DARPA. The U.S. government has committed to spending over $2 billion on AI projects over five years, with $2.58 billion being reported to have been spent on AI research and development in 2022. This includes the development of robots and wearable technology.
The impact of the AI F-16 jet is expected to be significant in what is referred to as "mosaic warfare," according to Stacie Pettyjohn, the director of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security. The AI F-16 jet is predicted to "decompose our forces," meaning that fewer human pilots will be needed to fly the jets, resulting in fewer casualties. Additionally, smaller autonomous aircraft can be combined in unexpected ways, adding complexity and overwhelming adversaries.