Boeing’s Ghost Bat loyal wingman drone spotted hanging in US

Boeing’s Ghost Bat loyal wingman drone spotted hanging in US
Boeing’s Ghost Bat loyal wingman drone spotted hanging in US

The Air Force said months ago it was planning to run flight experiments with the unmanned system, and even though this Ghost Bat was housed not far from an Air Force base, it’s unclear if the testing has begun.

Inside the special F-16 the Air Force is using to test out AI

Inside the special F-16 the Air Force is using to test out AI
Inside the special F-16 the Air Force is using to test out AI

With AI still a nascent technology, VISTA’s ability to churn through flight tests could be critical for the Air Force as it looks to start a Collaborative Combat Aircraft program as early as fiscal 2024.

Coming soon: A US competition for sixth-gen drone wingman could begin in FY24

Coming soon: A US competition for sixth-gen drone wingman could begin in FY24
Coming soon: A US competition for sixth-gen drone wingman could begin in FY24

“The expectation is that these aircraft can be designed to be less survivable and less capable, but still bring an awful lot to the fight in a mixture that the enemy has a very hard time sorting out and dealing with,” said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.

Air Force faces key questions for next-gen fighters’ drone wingmen

Air Force faces key questions for next-gen fighters’ drone wingmen
Air Force faces key questions for next-gen fighters’ drone wingmen

The US Air Force hopes to develop and field autonomous combat drones that would augment piloted fighters “in the mid to late 2020s,” Andrew Hunter, the Air Force’s top acquisition official, said in August.

If Congress blocks F-22 retirements, expect impact to Air Force drone programs: Hunter

If Congress blocks F-22 retirements, expect impact to Air Force drone programs: Hunter
If Congress blocks F-22 retirements, expect impact to Air Force drone programs: Hunter

“The concern I would have would be on our ability to deliver on a collaborative combat aircraft system to complement [Next Generation Air Dominance],” said Air Force acquisition executive Andrew Hunter. “It would limit our ability to dedicate people and resources to an aggressive effort to field that capability.”

Is the goal of JADC2 to connect sensors to shooters or should it be command and control?

Is the goal of JADC2 to connect sensors to shooters or should it be command and control?
Is the goal of JADC2 to connect sensors to shooters or should it be command and control?

C2 will be particularly important in scenarios where US forces are met with anti-access/area denial countermeasures potentially more suitable for autonomous aerial and ground systems.

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Multi-domain unmanned systems for future warfare at the tactical edge

Multi-domain unmanned systems for future warfare at the tactical edge
Multi-domain unmanned systems for future warfare at the tactical edge

The “right solutions” for future conflict must have multi-domain capabilities and be intelligent and interoperable to communicate and transfer data between systems.

Here’s what we know about the classified drones the Air Force wants to buy in FY23

Here’s what we know about the classified drones the Air Force wants to buy in FY23
Here’s what we know about the classified drones the Air Force wants to buy in FY23

The B-21 and future sixth-gen fighter will operate alongside drones, but what will those unmanned aircraft actually do?

The Air Force’s top civilian wants a drone wingman for the B-21 bomber

The Air Force’s top civilian wants a drone wingman for the B-21 bomber
The Air Force’s top civilian wants a drone wingman for the B-21 bomber

“What we want is something that can go operate with [the B-21],” said Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.

US, India To Co-Develop Military Drones

US, India To Co-Develop Military Drones
US, India To Co-Develop Military Drones

“The DTTI has struggled to maintain momentum in recent years, but this new project may signal a renewed mutual interest in substantial progress for capability benefits,” says Chris Bassler of CSBA.

Budgetary Pressures Could Push Skyborg Beyond 2023

Budgetary Pressures Could Push Skyborg Beyond 2023
Budgetary Pressures Could Push Skyborg Beyond 2023

“I won’t say that it’s not achievable” to transition Skyborg to a program of record, said AFLMC’s Brig. Gen. Dale White. “I will just say that it has to be balanced with all of the other requirements we have across the portfolio to be able to do that.”

Skyborg AI Flies Second Drone; Demos ‘Portability’

Skyborg AI Flies Second Drone; Demos ‘Portability’
Skyborg AI Flies Second Drone; Demos ‘Portability’

“Future Skyborg experimentation events will explore direct manned-unmanned teaming between manned aircraft and multiple ACS-controlled unmanned aircraft,” AFRL said today.

Long Range Strike Hot Potato Now In OSD Hands

Long Range Strike Hot Potato Now In OSD Hands
Long Range Strike Hot Potato Now In OSD Hands

“It’s ultimately a political decision, and … this demands a strong and fully staffed OSD,” said Mackenzie Eaglen, of the American Enterprise Institute. “That doesn’t seem likely until much later this year.”

Valkyrie Drops A Drone Of Its Own

Valkyrie Drops A Drone Of Its Own
Valkyrie Drops A Drone Of Its Own

UPDATED: To explain that LCASD program is done with flight tests. WASHINGTON: The Air Force’s low-cost XQ-58A Valkyrie drone has tested a new capability — launching its own drone — designed to boost its abilities to counter enemy air defense missiles and protect higher-value aircraft such as fighters and tankers. The Air Force Research Laboratory…