The U.S. Air Force is preparing an air battle between a human pilot and an aircraft controlled by artificial intelligence. Air Force experts and engineers are developing an autonomous flying drone at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) that they intend to place against human-piloted fighters in a challenge to be carried out in July next year.
USAF has been developing an autonomous fighter plane since 2018. Using machine learning technology, it will initially be able to pilotless advanced aircraft, such as the F-16. And once trained, it will be able to take control of newer models such as the F-22 or F-35.
According to Steve Rogers, the head of the project developed by AFRL, the best USAF pilots have thousands of hours of experience. A.I. systems that will help them in the future will use data from millions of flight hours. These systems could make decisions before people even start thinking about them, according to Air Force Magazine.
However, Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan also said that the Air Force should take into account the risks that such a technology could pose, taking examples from other areas where A.I. technology has been used. Of course, the details of the A.I. fighter plane are not clear, as it is a military project in which several things are not communicable.
The USAF is exploring other ways in which artificial intelligence can be used in war. The Skyborg project is developing a drone capable of supporting human pilots in aerial confrontations.
Overseas, Boeing delivered to Australia a prototype drone capable of flying alone, using artificial intelligence. The drone will be able to perform electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and surveillance missions, moving quickly from one scenario to another.
