US Air Force AI‑enabled aircraft program

Timeline

1. 1 day ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources

   U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School Demonstrates AI‑Autonomous X‑62 VISTA Intercepts

   The Air Force Test Pilot School completed two X‑62 VISTA programs, with AI‑controlled “HAVE HEAT” achieving 27 autonomous intercepts of a crewed jet and “HAVE HOLIDAYS” testing safety limits, marking a major AI

2. 3 days ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 5 sources

   US Air Force AI‑piloted F‑16 achieves 27 live intercepts in test

   AI agents on a modified F‑16 X‑62 VISTA completed 27 live intercepts at Edwards AFB, showcasing autonomous combat capabilities; a parallel DARPA program also flew a fully AI‑piloted F‑16 under human‑on‑the‑loop

3. 8 days ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

   Anduril Industries' Fury autonomous fighter jet enters production in Ohio

   Anduril’s autonomous Fury fighter jet entered production at Ohio’s Arsenal One plant, a $910 M facility that will create ~4,000 jobs and can build 150 aircraft annually, marking a key step for the U.S. Air Flow

4. 9 days ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

   US Air Force moves forward with collaborative combat aircraft production

   Anduril unveiled the YFQ-44A and General Atomics began mass production of the FQ-42A, marking the U.S. Air Force’s first collaborative combat aircraft deployments and a shift toward autonomous wingmen.

5. 15 days ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

   US Air Force conducts first autonomous flight of F-16 under VENOM program

   The U.S. Air Force and DARPA tested an autonomous F‑16 flight using the VENOM Autonomy Kit, with a pilot in the cockpit as a safety backup, aiming to scale AI control across the fighter fleet.

6. 19 days ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 6 sources

   US Air Force advances AI‑controlled F‑16 fighter with VENOM autonomy kit

   DARPA and the U.S. Air Force successfully tested an AI agent autonomously flying a modified F‑16 under the VENOM program, marking a key step toward AI‑controlled combat aircraft.

7. 21 days ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 8 sources

   US Air Force and DARPA successfully fly AI‑controlled F‑16 fighter

   The US Air Force and DARPA flew a modified F‑16 fighter fully controlled by artificial intelligence using the VENOM Autonomy Kit, marking a step toward autonomous air combat and future human‑led drone teams.

8. 23 days ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 9 sources

   US Air Force YFQ-44A drone fires AIM‑120 in first live‑fire test

   The U.S. Air Force’s YFQ‑44A drone fired an AIM‑120 missile at a digital target in a July 2026 live‑fire test, demonstrating semi‑autonomous capability while keeping a human in the loop.

9. 26 days ago

   [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

   US Air Force moves Anduril FQ-44 combat drone into serial production

   The US Air Force approved Anduril’s semi‑autonomous FQ‑44 combat drone for serial production, with an initial test batch and a 150‑aircraft‑per‑year line in Ohio, marking the fastest prototype‑to‑production in

10. about 1 month ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

    U.S. Air Force Advances AI‑Powered “Loyal Wingman” Drones

    The U.S. Air Force awarded contracts for AI‑enabled FQ‑42 and FQ‑44 “loyal wingman” drones, targeting 150 units by decade's end to augment manned fighters with autonomous capabilities.

11. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 6 sources

    US Air Force Awards AI Fighter Jet Contracts to General Atomics and Anduril

    The US Air Force awarded production contracts for AI‑piloted fighter jets to General Atomics (FQ‑42) and Anduril (FQ‑44), targeting 150 units by 2030 and up to 1,000 long‑term, with separate software suppliedby

12. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

    US Air Force contracts two autonomous combat drones for Loyal Wingman program

    The U.S. Air Force will acquire two autonomous “Loyal Wingman” drones, Anduril’s FQ‑44 and General Atomics’ FQ‑42, to deploy over 150 units by 2030 under the CCA program.

13. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

    US Air Force greenlights production of AI‑enabled drone wingmen

    The US Air Force approved production of AI‑driven Collaborative Combat Aircraft, aiming for 1,000 low‑cost wingmen drones to boost a shrinking fighter force amid China’s growing air capability.

14. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources

    U.S. Air Force Begins Production of First Collaborative Combat Aircraft

    The US Air Force contracts General Atomics and Anduril to produce the first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, targeting 150+ units by decade’s end and a software autonomy competition.

15. about 2 months ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 6 sources

    US Air Force awards production contract to General Atomics for new unmanned fighter

    The U.S. Air Force awarded General Atomics a contract to produce the FQ‑42A uncrewed fighter, a modular combat aircraft slated for series production after successful prototype testing.

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history