The skies above Edwards Air Force Base recently bore witness to a historic moment as Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force, took to the air in the X-62A Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft (VISTA). With Kendall in the front seat, the aircraft demonstrated its autonomous flying capabilities, a testament to the U.S. military’s commitment to trusted autonomy in its aircraft fleet.
At the heart of this endeavour is the Department of Defence’s (DoD) concerted effort to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) software. Through collaborations with agencies like the Defence Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), the U.S. Air Force (USAF) is spearheading programs like the Air Combat Evolution (ACE) initiative.
The X-62A VISTA, a product of the ACE program, is a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders. Companies like EpiSci, a California-based AI solutions provider, play a crucial role in developing the AI software that enables autonomous flight. Chris Gentile, VP of Tactical Autonomous Solutions at EpiSci, highlighted the multi-faceted approach, emphasising how involving multiple suppliers accelerates capability delivery.
However, the push for autonomy doesn’t mean replacing human pilots with robots. Instead, it aims to enhance human effectiveness by streamlining tasks and processes. Gentile stressed the importance of maintaining human oversight while leveraging AI to augment decision-making and execution.
EpiSci’s contribution extends beyond the VISTA program, with involvement in initiatives spanning from small unmanned aerial systems (sUASs) to advanced fighter aircraft like the F-16. Their Tactical AI technology serves as a cornerstone, enabling high-performance capabilities across various platforms.
Parallel efforts like the Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operations Model — Autonomy Flying Testbed (VENOM-AFT) program and DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System (ALLAS) project further solidify the military’s commitment to advancing autonomous technologies.
As the U.S. military continues to explore the possibilities of unmanned aircraft, the future of its aircraft fleet seems poised for transformation. With a blend of human expertise and AI-driven innovation, the skies of tomorrow promise to be safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced than ever before.