The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has disclosed the first-in-air trial of an AI-piloted jet in a simulated combat against a human-operated F-16. The AI pilot performance was demonstrated at the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California in September 2023 but was only recently announced. The AI system, developed under DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program, took control of the X-62A, aka VISTA (Variable In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft), a specially modified F-16 jet for this trial.
While similar AI undertakings, including the one involving the X-62A and the Pentagon’s plan to incorporate autonomous AI Ghost Jets into its military lineup, have been reported in the past, this marks the first instance of an AI flying a jet in a dogfight scenario. Although there were two human copilots present in the AI-controlled X-62A, they didn’t take any active part. The AI independently piloted the aircraft as it and the F-16 came within 2,000 feet of one another, flying at a speed of 1,200 miles per hour.
DARPA has not disclosed who won the encounter, however, it indicated that during a prior contest in which an AI was matched against human pilots in a flight simulator, the AI emerged victorious. According to Lt. Col. Ryan Hefron, the ACE program manager, the primary aim of the test was to verify that AI agents could be safely tested in a crucial air combat scenario. Consequently, questioning who won might not fully consider the nuances of what the trial accomplished.
The primary objective of these trials, according to DARPA, is to encourage a teaming approach between human and machine and establish trusted autonomy. They aim to ascertain that a human pilot can rely on the AI system and that it can follow the pilot’s lead. Lt. Col. Ryan Hefron stated that to utilize these algorithms in real-life settings, it is crucial to establish trust. DARPA’s ACE program is working towards a situation where a single human pilot can pair with an autonomous AI aircraft to engage enemies more effectively. An AI-operated jet could execute maneuvers exceeding the physical thresholds that a human pilot can endure. DARPA has stated that it is consistent with the US commitment to taking the lead and not becoming a victim of significant technological surprises. Therefore, it is highly likely that countries like China may also be developing their AI defense technologies.
