US Air Force begins piloted flights, autonomy tests for modified F-16s under VENOM program

Published Jul 20, 05:08 PM UTC

The U.S. Air Force has initiated piloted flights and autonomy tests for modified F-16s under the Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operations Model (VENOM) program. These aircraft are equipped with additional hardware, software, and instrumentation that allow artificial intelligence agents to fly them. A modified F-16 completed a sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, for the 96th Test Wing. Flights began in June to verify aircraft functionality, and in July, in-air testing commenced with an AI agent autonomously controlling the flight. Pilots monitored the AI agents from the cockpit to ensure test objectives were met. The VENOM program is a joint effort between DARPA and the Air Force under the Air Combat Evolution program, aiming to advance AI development for autonomous flight. The aircraft underwent months of ground testing and extensive simulations dating back to 2024.