US Air Force AI pilot flies 1992-vintage F-16D in autonomous intercept tests

Published Aug 8, 02:15 PM UTC

The US Air Force and Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works conducted a series of flight tests where an AI agent flew the X-62A VISTA, a modified F-16D first flown in 1992, using live infrared data from a Legion Pod to autonomously intercept a T-38 Talon. Over eight sorties, the AI completed 27 intercepts, marking a shift from simulated to operationally relevant environments. The AI integration was accelerated using Lockheed's 'Supermassive' framework, completed in about three months. Officials stated the technology aims to reduce pilot workload and enhance decision-making in complex missions.