F-16s Get Smarter: US Air Force Pushes Artificial Intelligence into Combat Aviation

On April 1, 2025, the US Air Force marked a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into military aviation with the arrival of the final F-16 Fighting Falcon at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

This F-16 is part of the Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operations Model – Autonomy Flying Testbed (VENOM) program, which aims to transform the iconic fighter jet into an AI-enabled, autonomous aircraft capable of performing complex combat missions.

VENOM Program: AI Enhancements for Combat Aircraft

The VENOM program involves a comprehensive modification process that includes both software and hardware upgrades.

These modifications, which are being applied to the six F-16s in the program, aim to equip the jets with AI systems that allow them to fly autonomously in various combat scenarios.

The most notable of these modifications is the addition of an auto-throttle, which enables the aircraft to regulate flight surfaces and adjust thrust autonomously. This change is part of a broader upgrade that integrates AI and advanced sensors into the F-16’s existing systems, enhancing its ability to detect and counter threats without direct human input.

Since 2024, the F-16s in the VENOM program have undergone extensive testing in real-time modeling and simulation environments, which replicate air combat scenarios.

These simulations include one-on-one and two-on-two dogfights, both within and beyond visual range.

The AI systems are tested across thousands of iterations, refining their combat tactics and decision-making capabilities. These simulations allow engineers to assess and improve the AI’s performance, ensuring that the systems can handle the complexities of aerial warfare and adapt to dynamic combat conditions.

Next Steps: Hardware and Software Testing

The next phase for the VENOM program involves hardware and software-in-the-loop testing, ensuring the AI can connect and communicate effectively with the aircraft’s systems.

Safety remains a top priority in these tests, with a pilot present during flight tests to monitor the AI’s actions and intervene if necessary. This “human-on-the-loop” approach ensures that the aircraft operates within safe parameters and that the pilot can assume control if required.

While the six F-16s currently undergoing modifications are seen as experimental platforms, the ultimate goal of the VENOM program is to contribute to the Air Force’s larger Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative.

The CCA vision includes the deployment of a fleet of unmanned drones, or “loyal wingmen,” that would work alongside manned fighters like the F-35 or the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform. These AI-powered drones would carry out various roles, such as combat support, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance, significantly enhancing the operational capabilities and survivability of human pilots.

Beyond the F-16: Broader Impact on Future Military Aviation

The VENOM program is expected to have broader implications beyond the F-16s themselves.

Data gathered from these tests could influence the development of the NGAD program, a future family of sixth-generation fighter aircraft that could rely on both manned and unmanned platforms to dominate the battlefield.

Additionally, the success of the VENOM program could lead to the retrofitting of older F-16s into AI-powered drones, providing a cost-effective solution to augment the aging fighter fleet.

As the first fully modified F-16s approach ground testing in late 2025, the progress made by the Air Force in automating these aircraft underscores a broader shift towards AI-driven combat systems. This development marks a significant leap in the evolution of aerial warfare, where the integration of AI could fundamentally change how military operations are conducted.

The results of these tests will help shape the future of air combat, with AI systems playing an increasingly pivotal role in the skies.

To wrap it up, the arrival of the final F-16 for the VENOM program is a major leap for the US Air Force in bringing AI into military aviation. As these jets continue to be tested and upgraded, the program is setting the stage for a new era of autonomous air combat, with big implications for both piloted and unmanned aircraft in the future of warfare.