U.S. first flight test of F-16 fighter with VISTA artificial intelligence system for unmanned control

At the end of 2022, the U.S. Air Force conducted the debut flight test of the fourth generation fighter F-16 Fighting Falcon with artificial intelligence. Tests took place over the Mojave Desert in California and ended successfully.

Here's What We Know

The artificial intelligence system is called VISTA. The pilot took the airplane into the air, after which control was transferred to VISTA. The artificial intelligence piloted the plane for a while. A couple of hours later, the U.S. Air Force tested an alternative drone control system on another F-16 fighter jet.

U.S. Air Force Command says that the success of the test brings the creation of unmanned aircraft, which may begin as early as 2024 fiscal year. The artificial intelligence system will be able to control the aircraft and coordinate with other aircraft. 

During tests, F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters performed various tasks. In the first flight the air combat with a conventional enemy was simulated, including outside the line of sight. In the second flight the artificial intelligence solved the tasks of navigation.

Source: Breaking Defense