WASHINGTON (Agencies): Lockheed Martin has announced a significant advancement in its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter capabilities, unveiling the aircraft’s ability to command and control multiple drones simultaneously using artificial intelligence (AI). This technological milestone marks a major leap forward in the U.S. Air Force’s vision for integrated crewed-uncrewed operations.
In recent flight tests, the F-35 demonstrated the ability to seamlessly control drones, such as the upcoming Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), through an intuitive touchscreen interface in the cockpit. The tests revealed AI-powered systems that allow pilots to direct unmanned assets with precision, enhancing operational agility in complex combat scenarios. Additionally, the F-22 Raptor was also shown to benefit from this AI-enabled control architecture.
The new system is a key part of the Air Force’s strategy to develop a network of integrated, AI-driven systems for combat. These advancements will enable better collaboration between piloted aircraft and uncrewed drones, improving mission execution and efficiency. Lockheed Martin also highlighted its collaboration with the University of Iowa’s Operator Performance Laboratory (OPL), which supported research into autonomous systems and drone technologies.
The F-35’s successful demonstration of controlling multiple drones represents a major leap towards the deployment of loyal wingman drones, which will serve alongside crewed fighter jets. These drones are expected to perform a wide range of roles, including strikes, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and electronic warfare, and are designed to enhance the U.S. military’s air capabilities.
The Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, which aims to develop these drones, is expected to procure between 100 and 150 drones in its initial phase, with the long-term goal of acquiring thousands. Lockheed Martin’s advancements are laying the foundation for seamless integration between these drones and the F-35, with a projected capability to control up to eight autonomous CCAs simultaneously.
This breakthrough reinforces the importance of AI in modern warfare, setting the stage for the development of advanced unmanned aircraft systems that will shape the future of air combat operations.