US Air Force Tests AI‑Piloted Drones and Jets
At Eglin Air Force Base, the Air Force is running operational tests pairing manned fighters with AI‑piloted systems — including the XQ‑58 drone and AI‑enabled F‑16 testbeds — to evaluate autonomous combat roles, tactics and cost tradeoffs. Officials and pilots quoted in the report describe recent milestones (a full‑scale XQ‑58 runway takeoff in August), limited dogfight successes against human pilots, and service planning to operate armed AI drones alongside manned aircraft to bolster U.S. force posture.
Military
AI & Tech
📌 Key Facts
- Tests are taking place at Eglin Air Force Base with Air Combat Command involvement and quotes from Gen. Adrian Spain.
- A full‑scale XQ‑58 model performed its first runway takeoff in August; the platform is a focus of 'Top Gun AI' experiments.
- An AI‑piloted F‑16 reportedly fared well in a limited dogfight against an experienced human pilot; AI drones are estimated at $20–30 million apiece (about one‑quarter the cost of a manned fighter).