The U.S. Air Force has recently confirmed the successful completion of the first-ever dogfight between a fighter jet controlled by artificial intelligence (AI) and a human-piloted aircraft. This groundbreaking achievement is the result of the Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program launched by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in 2019.
The historic dogfight took place at Edwards Air Force Base in California, with a manned F-16 facing off against the X-62A VISTA, an experimental variant of the F-16 equipped with AI agents. The live AI agents installed in the X-62A allowed for autonomous air-to-air combat maneuvers, marking a significant advancement in the field of combat aviation.
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall hailed the successful test as a transformative moment in aviation history, emphasizing the breakthrough accomplishments of the X-62A ACE team. The test flights involved defensive and offensive maneuvers, with the aircraft engaging in high-speed, close-range combat scenarios.
Traditional autonomous aircraft control has existed for decades, but the integration of machine learning in flight-critical systems has previously posed significant challenges. Through rigorous testing and over 100,000 lines of software changes, the ACE program achieved a milestone in utilizing AI for combat aviation applications.
During the test flights, test pilots onboard the X-62A had the ability to disengage the AI system but did not need to do so at any point during the dogfights. This demonstrates the progress made in developing trust in autonomous AI systems for real-world applications.
Moving forward, DARPA and the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School will continue to explore the capabilities of machine learning in aerospace applications, with the X-62A VISTA serving as a platform for further research and development. The collaborative efforts of government, industry, and academia partners have been instrumental in advancing the ACE program and paving the way for future aerospace AI innovations.
The successful AI dogfight represents a significant milestone in the evolution of autonomous systems in combat aviation, with implications for both commercial and defense applications. As technology continues to advance, the lessons learned from the ACE program will shape the future of autonomous AI systems in the air.
For more updates on this groundbreaking achievement, stay tuned to FOXBusiness.com for the latest developments in AI technology and its impact on the aerospace industry.
