An orange-white F-16 flies through American airspace. But the fighter jet is not controlled by the two pilots on board. A computer uses artificial intelligence to determine where and how to fly. It is the prelude to more AI in the air. The US Air Force wants to use more AI-controlled aircraft, even without a pilot.
At speeds of up to almost 900 kilometers per hour, two fighter jets perform all kinds of maneuvers as if they were in battle. They try to push the other into a vulnerable position. A position where – in a war situation – the trigger could be pulled.
And at that moment the pilot in one of the planes turns the switch. Now artificial intelligence determines what happens for a minute or two, thanks to all the sensors and extra computers the plane has on board.
More AI in America’s skies
The test flight lasted an hour with the specially developed F-16, which also included the chief of the US Air Force. He was not afraid, Frank Kendall told the AP news agency. Because the pilot could intervene at any time. The pilot also automatically regained control if the aircraft came too close to the ground or another aircraft.
The trial is a prelude to more artificial intelligence (AI) in the American skies. In a few years, it wants to own a fleet of about a thousand AI-controlled unmanned warplanes. The first of these should be ready for use in four years.
How does the system work differently than an autopilot?
The F-16, named Vista X-62, has all kinds of systems built into it that other fighter jets do not have. Systems that together can do more than the autopilot from civil aviation.
“That is completely pre-programmed. It ensures that you can take off, fly and land automatically. We know where the runway is. The aircraft already knows in advance what to do,” says aviation expert from TU Delft Joris Melkert.
That is less advanced than what the artificial intelligence on board the Vista can do. That system can respond to what happens in air. For example, during an air battle where two planes fly after each other, Melkert explains.
“If you are attacked by an aircraft, you can hardly pre-program it. Because you do not know exactly in advance what the other person is doing. You have to be able to respond smartly and adaptively. They have now tested this with a real aircraft with artificial intelligence .”
System is getting smarter
According to the military developers, the aircraft has one important purpose. The self-learning system must continue to improve. The fighter jet learns based on test flights in the simulator and then tests the conclusions during real flights.
The data generated by these types of flights are then used in the simulator to continue learning based on their own experiences.
According to the developers, no other country has a comparable fighter jet.
Computer doesn’t get scared or tired
The advantage over ‘human’ pilots is that the computer does not get scared or tired, says Kendall. “It follows the rules and executes maneuvers as perfectly as it can. While with humans there is always some variation in how they perform.”
Another advantage is that the aircraft are replaceable without a pilot on board. “We can sacrifice them to draw enemy fire or find out where the enemy is. I think our pilots appreciate that this gives them a competitive advantage,” says Kendall.
Kendall has a lot of confidence in the technology. So much so that he would let the system decide for itself whether to deploy weapons. While this is precisely what is causing a lot of opposition from critics and humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross.
They fear the moment when autonomous weapons are deployed and they can decide for themselves about life and death. Especially when humans are ultimately not at the controls.
The air force boss tells AP that there will always be human supervision when weapon systems are used.
More to come
The US Air Force plans to invest more in unmanned aircraft in the coming years. Partly because of the lower costs and the strategic possibilities. Smaller and cheaper AI-controlled fighter jets are coming, Kendall expects.
The US Department of Defense announced in March that it plans to develop new AI-controlled aircraft. They have two outstanding tenders for which private companies can register. Well-known aerospace companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are competing for the contract and plan to develop AI aircraft.
