US Air Force Tests Fighter Jets Teaming with AI Drones in Combat Drill

In a landmark demonstration that signals the future of aerial warfare, the United States Air Force has successfully advanced human-machine teaming during a live combat training flight held at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The exercise featured crewed fighter jets working alongside semi-autonomous drones, marking a major step in integrating artificial intelligence into battlefield operations.

During the training, pilots flying an F-16C Fighting Falcon and an F-15E Strike Eagle each controlled two XQ-58A Valkyrie autonomous collaborative platforms (ACPs). These drones operated in coordination with the manned jets in a simulated air combat environment, showcasing how future missions could be executed by mixed teams of humans and machines.

The XQ-58A Valkyrie, developed by Kratos Defense, is a low-cost, high-performance unmanned aircraft system (UAS) designed to act as a wingman to manned combat aircraft. It can perform multiple roles such as scouting, electronic warfare, and even precision strikes—without risking a pilot’s life. The Valkyrie is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds, with a range of up to 3,000 nautical miles, and can carry a mix of payloads depending on mission requirements.

This exercise demonstrated real-time collaboration between pilots and drones, emphasizing the strategic value of autonomous systems that can operate in dangerous airspaces, make mission-based decisions, and adapt to dynamic threats. While the drones flew semi-independently, the pilots retained ultimate control, allowing for ethical oversight and mission flexibility.

The project was supported by the Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) program, under the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. It was a joint mission involving the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Air Combat Command, Air Force Test Center, and even the U.S. Navy—showing how cross-service cooperation is shaping the next era of defense technology.

According to Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander of Air Combat Command, this flight was not just a test of new aircraft, but of a new strategy. "We are committed to integrating ACPs through these kinds of demanding, operator-driven evaluations that allow us to learn rapidly and enhance our human-machine teams," he said.

The Air Force envisions a future where drones like the Valkyrie fly ahead of manned fighters, scout enemy positions, jam radar systems, or even draw fire—preserving the safety of pilots while expanding combat effectiveness. These unmanned systems can be rapidly upgraded with new software or mission-specific modules, adding significant adaptability to the U.S. Air Force’s operational toolset.

Brig Gen. Jason Bartolomei, commander of AFRL, emphasized that this test flight marks a critical turning point: “By developing and integrating autonomous platforms with manned systems, we can quickly adapt, increase combat effectiveness, and reduce risk to our aircrews in contested environments.”

As future air battles become faster and more complex, human-machine teaming will allow pilots to focus on strategic decisions while autonomous drones handle tactical execution. With insights from this exercise, the Air Force plans to refine its drone platforms and command systems, paving the way for next-generation air dominance.

The Air Force Research Laboratory, which leads scientific and technological development for the service, remains at the center of this innovation. Its mission—to turn cutting-edge science into battlefield-ready capabilities—is proving vital as the U.S. prepares for the challenges of modern, contested airspaces.