Autonomous flight testing of co-pilot drone

us Air Force In 2024, it will intensify its efforts to integrate unmanned aircraft into operations with manned combat aircraft.

Collaborative Combat Fleet Planning and Expansion

us Air Force It aims to accelerate the deployment of its fleet of unmanned aircraft, called associate combat aircraft (CCA, in drone They are designed to work in conjunction with F-35 and future next generation air domain platforms. Missions contemplated include attacking enemy targets, conducting surveillance, jamming signals and acting as decoys. With an initial estimate of around 1,000 CCASecretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall It is estimated that the final amount may be higher.

Prior to deployment, further research on autonomous flight and its integration into unit operations is necessary. The proposed 2024 budget allocates about $50 million to test autonomous software on fighter planes F-16 through the project poison, Additionally, $69 million will be allocated for the development of experimental operating units, which will focus on the development of strategy and procedures. CCA In fighter squadrons.

Project poison (Viper Experimentation and Next-Generation Operations Model) is planned to be equipped with six F-16 With autonomous software. These combat aircraft, piloted by humans in the air experiment area, will transition to autonomous control to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of the concept. CCA, Its purpose is to collect data on interactions between pilots and machines, which is essential for the development of more advanced and sophisticated software.

Development of strategies and risk reduction in combination with drones and manned aircraft

Experimental operating units will be important in determining how CCA They can assist in missions and training squads for effective use. This approach attempts to minimize the risks inherent in combining autonomous drones with manned aircraft. but in a conversation New American Security CenterLocated in Washington, Kendall highlights the use of Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bats As an experimental aircraft to gain operational experience in this area.

is a major aspect in the development of CCA This is its cost. Air Force It aspires to be affordable enough for them to be considered “attractive”, i.e. their defeat in battle is acceptable. It is estimated that CCA Their price will be between one fourth and one third F-35Around $20 to $27 million.

Several defense companies have already presented various concepts CCA, Although its acquisition will take several years, Air Force According to , the first batch of production is expected by the end of this decade, and the field will have a fair amount of production soon thereafter. Kendall,