The flyover of Edwards Air Force Base, for which Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall sat in the cockpit, proceeded through several combat exercises and dogfight scenarios, according to the Associated Press. The outlet reported that the AI-powered plane, which has completed about two dozen flights since testing began in September, has begun to outperform human pilots in some scenarios.
The AP reported that during Thursday’s flight, the from each other at speeds of over 550 miles per hour.
While humanitarian groups have expressed deep concern about entrusting life-and-death decisions to an AI-powered machine, Kendall pointed out that AI is already restructuring global war strategies, that we like it or not.
“It’s a safety risk not to have it. At this point, we have to have it,” Kendall told AP after landing.
AP reported that the US Air Force is betting big on AI, investing in a fleet of 1,000 unmanned drones to perform riskier maneuvers than possible with manned craft, with the first operational in 2028.
While AP reported that pilots at Edwards Air Force Base know that AI-powered craft could soon replace them, the outlet noted that airmen are loath to take on an adversary with AI capabilities if states -United States does not have its own autonomous fleet. .
“We have to keep running. And we have to run fast,” Kendall told AP after his Thursday flight.
The Air Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
businessinsider
