U.S F-16C Fighting Falcon and F-15E Strike Eagle Aircraft Successfully Controlled TWO XQ-58A Valkyrie

In a groundbreaking leap for future air combat, the U.S. Air Force has successfully demonstrated human-machine teaming by having fighter pilots control multiple autonomous drones during a live training exercise. This high-stakes test took place at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, marking a historic milestone in the integration of autonomous systems with manned aircraft.

During the mission, pilots in an F-16C Fighting Falcon and an F-15E Strike Eagle each controlled two XQ-58A Valkyrie drones, also known as Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs). The event showcased a complex air combat training scenario where humans and machines worked together in real-time, executing maneuvers as a coordinated team.

This demonstration is part of the U.S. military’s larger vision of future warfare, where affordable, runway-independent drones support manned aircraft in dangerous or highly contested environments. By incorporating semi-autonomous platforms into operations, the Air Force aims to boost mission success while reducing risks for human pilots.

The XQ-58A Valkyrie is a low-cost, long-range, stealthy drone designed to operate without traditional runways. Its flexible deployment options and ability to carry out Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, or strike missions make it a valuable companion to piloted aircraft. This test proves that a single pilot can manage multiple Valkyrie drones in combat-like conditions—reducing workload, improving situational awareness, and increasing lethality.

General Ken Wilsbach, commander of Air Combat Command, stated:

“We are committed to innovation and integrating ACPs through demanding, operator-driven evaluations. This approach is essential for maintaining air superiority and ensuring success in future conflicts.”

The successful mission was backed by the Department of Defense’s Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER) and executed through collaboration between the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Air Force Test Center, Air Combat Command, and the U.S. Navy. It highlights a joint-service effort to fast-track the development of autonomous combat solutions based on actual operational needs.

Brigadier General Jason Bartolomei, head of AFRL, emphasized:

“This flight marks a crucial step in harnessing human-machine teaming to overcome complex threats. By integrating autonomous platforms with manned systems, we improve combat effectiveness and reduce risks to aircrews.”

The data collected from this flight will now feed into the next phase of autonomous system development, ensuring these technologies are matured and fielded quickly to support frontline warfighters. As the Air Force prepares for future threats in increasingly contested environments, human-machine collaboration is expected to play a central role in delivering operational scale, flexibility, and dominance in the air.

This test was more than a milestone—it was a preview of the next generation of warfare, where man and machine fly, fight, and win together.