The X-62A VISTA flies in the skies above Edwards AFB, California, April 30, 2024. (US Air Force/DVIDS)
The US Air Force is grappling with a fundamental question: how to balance its reliance on human-piloted fighter jets with the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven autonomous systems.
While advances in AI have led to significant progress, the military is still far from replacing human pilots, a reality that senior leaders, including Brigadier General Doug Wickert, have openly acknowledged.
This debate becomes even more pressing as public figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy criticize the cost and relevance of manned aircraft in an age of evolving drone technology.
Human Pilots Remain Essential
Brig. Gen. Wickert, commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, recently underscored the complexity of transitioning to AI-driven warfare.
Speaking to Pentagon reporters, he emphasized that “fully robotified warfare” is not imminent, estimating it could be centuries before autonomous systems replace human pilots entirely.
While AI systems offer exciting possibilities, their current limitations, including frequent errors and the inability to reliably make decisions in dynamic combat scenarios, necessitate continued reliance on human operators.
XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator during its maiden flight test in 2019. (US Air Force/Wikimedia Commons)
The Air Force has begun developing collaborative combat aircraft (CCA)—AI-enabled drones designed to work alongside human pilots.
Priced at approximately $30 million each, these “robot wingmen” will initially carry out high-risk tasks like reconnaissance and missile delivery under the supervision of human pilots.
The US Air Force is grappling with a fundamental question: how to balance its reliance on human-piloted fighter jets with the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven autonomous systems.
While advances in AI have led to significant progress, the military is still far from replacing human pilots, a reality that senior leaders, including Brigadier General Doug Wickert, have openly acknowledged.
This debate becomes even more pressing as public figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy criticize the cost and relevance of manned aircraft in an age of evolving drone technology.
Human Pilots Remain Essential
Brig. Gen. Wickert, commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, recently underscored the complexity of transitioning to AI-driven warfare.
Speaking to Pentagon reporters, he emphasized that “fully robotified warfare” is not imminent, estimating it could be centuries before autonomous systems replace human pilots entirely.
While AI systems offer exciting possibilities, their current limitations, including frequent errors and the inability to reliably make decisions in dynamic combat scenarios, necessitate continued reliance on human operators.
XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator during its maiden flight test in 2019. (US Air Force/Wikimedia Commons)
The Air Force has begun developing collaborative combat aircraft (CCA)—AI-enabled drones designed to work alongside human pilots.
Priced at approximately $30 million each, these “robot wingmen” will initially carry out high-risk tasks like reconnaissance and missile delivery under the supervision of human pilots.
However, as Brig. Gen. Wickert and Chief Test Pilot Bill Gray have pointed out that these systems are far from flawless.
Experimental flights using AI-enhanced systems often reveal inconsistencies, requiring rigorous safety measures and fallback options for human intervention.
The Role of VISTA X-62A in AI Development
The Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft (VISTA) X-62A plays a critical role in advancing AI-driven aviation.
This modified F-16D, stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, provides a safe platform for testing AI piloting systems.
The aircraft completed 17 hours of fully autonomous flight two years ago, marking a significant milestone in AI development.
The VISTA X-62A’s ability to simulate different aircraft and operate within a “safety sandbox” makes it an invaluable tool for experimenting with AI-driven autonomy.
However, as demonstrated during these tests, even advanced AI systems often make mistakes, reinforcing the need for human oversight.
The Future of Piloted Fighter Jets
Despite the advancements in AI, the Air Force remains heavily invested in piloted aircraft like the F-35 and the delayed Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program.
The NGAD initiative, which aims to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter, is still in its planning stages and is projected to cost $20 billion over the next five years.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon plans to purchase an additional 1,800 F-35s, with the overall program cost exceeding $2 trillion.
Critics like Elon Musk have derided this expenditure, labeling manned fighter jets obsolete and advocating for cheaper, unmanned systems.
The F-35 design was broken at the requirements level, because it was required to be too many things to too many people.
This made it an expensive & complex jack of all trades, master of none. Success was never in the set of possible outcomes.
Musk’s criticism highlights a broader debate about the Air Force’s approach to modernization.
While AI and drones promise cost savings and reduced risk to human life, the technology is not yet ready to replace piloted systems in complex, high-stakes combat scenarios.
Moreover, ethical questions about autonomous systems making lethal decisions remain unresolved, further complicating their widespread adoption.
Adapting to Evolving Threats
The Air Force is taking a cautious, phased approach to integrating AI and autonomous systems into its arsenal.
The CCA program represents a step forward in leveraging AI while maintaining human oversight.
Similarly, the VISTA X-62A ensures that AI systems are rigorously tested before being deployed in real-world scenarios.
At the same time, senior leaders like Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall acknowledge the financial strain of maintaining and modernizing piloted aircraft while investing in AI.
“We have to get somewhat creative to adapt our existing force to meet the threat,” Kendall recently stated at the Airlift/Tanker Association symposium, reflecting the need for balanced innovation.
Final Thoughts
The US Air Force’s journey toward incorporating AI-driven aircraft is a delicate balancing act.
While critics argue for a shift toward unmanned systems, the reality is that current AI technology cannot fully replace human pilots.
Tools like the VISTA X-62A and programs like CCA demonstrate the Air Force’s commitment to innovation, but they also underscore the complexity of integrating these systems into combat operations.
As the Air Force navigates this transition, it must address technological, ethical, and financial challenges while ensuring that its pilots remain at the forefront of its strategic capabilities.
For now, the skies will remain a shared domain between humans and machines.
Source: NYT
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