No Pilots Are Needed In The Air Force’s New Fighter Jets Controlled Completely By AI

U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall rode in the cockpit of a fighter jet on Friday, which flew over the desert in California and was controlled by artificial intelligence.

In a prior announcement, Kendall had revealed his intention to take flight in an AI-driven F-16 to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense panel, emphasizing the pivotal role autonomous drones would play in the future of aerial warfare.

True to his word, Kendall executed his plans, marking a potentially monumental leap forward in military aviation, comparable to the introduction of stealth aircraft in the early 1990s.

The destination for Kendall’s flight was Edwards Air Force Base, a historic site akin to where Chuck Yeager achieved supersonic flight, offering him the firsthand experience of AI-guided flight.

Post-flight, Kendall shared insights with the Associated Press, underscoring the significance of AI in shaping the landscape of air combat. “It’s a security risk not to have it. At this point, we have to have it,” affirmed the secretary.

The Associated Press and NBC were granted exclusive access to witness the covert flight, under the agreement not to report until its completion, due to security sensitivities.

The AI-piloted F-16, dubbed Vista, soared at speeds exceeding 550 mph, subjecting Kendall to gravitational forces nearly five times that of Earth’s normal gravity.

Accompanying Vista was a human-piloted F-16, engaging in maneuvers within close proximity, showcasing the potential of AI and human pilots working in tandem during combat scenarios.

Exiting the cockpit with a smile, Kendall expressed confidence in AI technology’s capability to make critical decisions regarding weapon deployment in warfare.

Despite advancements, apprehensions persist regarding AI’s potential to autonomously engage in lethal actions without human oversight, prompting calls for stringent regulations.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has voiced significant reservations, cautioning against delegating life-or-death determinations to sensors and algorithms.

Kendall reassures that human supervision will remain integral when considering weapon deployment, emphasizing a balance between AI integration and human control.

The Air Force is on track to incorporate over 1,000 AI-operated drones into its fleet by 2028, aiming to enhance operational capabilities and strategic agility.

Initiatives like the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) project, valued at $6 billion, underscore the Pentagon’s commitment to leveraging AI for military superiority.

Leading defense contractors, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, are vying for contracts, highlighting the industry’s involvement in AI-driven innovation.

The Pentagon views AI as a cost-effective solution, offering “small, smart, cheap, and many” expendable units to bolster military capabilities and adapt to evolving threats.

{Matzav.com}