U.S. Air Force X-62A AI Autonomously Intercepts T-38 Target Jet
The U.S. Air Force's X-62A, a modified F-16, successfully used an AI agent to autonomously spot, track, and intercept a live T-38 target aircraft during the Have Heat program at Edwards Air Force Base. Over eight flights, the AI executed 27 intercepts using real-time data from a Lockheed Martin Legion Pod infrared sensor. This marks a major step toward fielding Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones capable of autonomous air-to-air combat, building on prior dogfight tests and advancing sensor-to-vehicle integration.
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AI-Driven X-62 Intercepts Crewed Jets in Test
The U.S. Air Force's autonomous X-62 test fighter, a heavily modified F-16D, successfully conducted multiple AI-controlled intercepts of a crewed T-38 Talon jet in a series of experiments earlier this year. The tests, part of the HAVE HEAT program at Edwards Air Force Base, concluded in April. The X-62 used Lockheed Martin's Legion Pod and AI agents to interpret live infrared sensor data and direct the plane to intercept its target in real time, marking a leap forward from 2024 tests where human operators locked onto targets. Lockheed Martin reported 27 AI-controlled intercepts during eight test flights. The Air Force also conducted the HAVE HOLIDAYS program to integrate modular technologies and test enhanced safety rules. Future work includes integrating RTX's PhantomStrike radar into the X-62 by the end of 2026, with more elaborate tests resuming in early 2027.
AI-Driven X-62 Intercepts Crewed Jets in Test
The U.S. Air Force announced on August 4 that its autonomous test fighter, the X-62 (a heavily modified F-16D known as VISTA), successfully completed multiple AI-controlled intercepts of a crewed T-38 Talon jet earlier this year. Conducted by the Air Force Test Pilot School under the HAVE HEAT program at Edwards Air Force Base, California, the tests concluded in April. The X-62 used Lockheed Martin's Legion Pod and AI agents to interpret live infrared sensor data and autonomously lock onto and intercept targets in real time, marking a leap from previous tests where human operators handled target locking. Lockheed Martin reported 27 AI-controlled intercepts across eight test flights. The tests advance the development of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, semi-autonomous uncrewed fighters. Additionally, the Air Force conducted the HAVE HOLIDAYS program integrating modular technologies and an autonomous agent from an unidentified contractor. Work has begun on integrating RTX's PhantomStrike radar into the X-62, with completion expected by end of 2026 and advanced tests in early 2027.
AI-Driven X-62 Intercepts Crewed Jets in Test
The U.S. Air Force announced that its autonomous X-62 test fighter, a heavily modified F-16D, conducted multiple AI-controlled intercepts of a crewed T-38 Talon jet in a series of experiments earlier this year. The tests, part of the HAVE HEAT program at Edwards Air Force Base, involved 27 AI-controlled intercepts over eight test flights, concluding in April. The X-62 used Lockheed Martin's Legion Pod and AI agents to interpret live infrared sensor data and direct the plane in real time, marking a leap from previous simulated dogfights where humans locked targets. This advancement supports the development of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, semi-autonomous uncrewed fighters. Lockheed Martin integrated the Skunk Works AI agent within three months. Separately, the HAVE HOLIDAYS program integrated modular technologies and an autonomous agent from an unidentified contractor. Work has begun on integrating RTX's PhantomStrike radar into the X-62, with completion expected by end of 2026.
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X-62A with IRST Pod Uses AI to Autonomously Intercept Enemy T-38
The U.S. Air Force's X-62A test jet, a modified F-16, successfully used an artificial intelligence 'brain' to autonomously spot, track, and intercept a live T-38 target aircraft during the Have Heat testing program. The AI agent leveraged data from a Lockheed Martin Legion Pod infrared search and track (IRST) sensor slung under the aircraft. Over eight flights, the X-62A executed 27 AI-controlled intercepts. This demonstration marks a key step toward the Air Force's goal of fielding Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones capable of autonomous air-to-air combat using onboard sensor data, moving beyond simulated targets to real-time sensor streams. The tests were conducted at Edwards Air Force Base by the USAF Test Pilot School and Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works.
X-62A with IRST Pod Uses AI to Autonomously Intercept Enemy T-38
The U.S. Air Force's X-62A test jet, a modified F-16, successfully used an artificial intelligence 'brain' to autonomously spot, track, and intercept a live T-38 target aircraft during the Have Heat testing program at Edwards Air Force Base. The AI agent leveraged real-time data from an infrared search and track (IRST) Legion Pod, demonstrating closed-loop AI sensor-to-vehicle control. Over eight flights, the X-62A executed 27 AI-controlled intercepts. This marks a key step toward the Air Force's goal of fielding Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones capable of autonomous air-to-air combat. The tests build on previous autonomous dogfight demonstrations and address challenges of situational awareness and sensor integration for uncrewed platforms.