The U.S. Air Force has created an autonomous driving system that will allow F-16 fighters to perform missions without the pilot
Not only drones, soon even fighter aircraft will be able to perform missions without the aid of the pilot. The U.S. Air Force is developing an autonomous guidance system for its F-16 fighter aircraft.
The system, developed in collaboration with Skunk Works, Lockheed Martin’s division specializing in building advanced aircraft technologies, has enabled the F-16 to perform a variety of ground-to-air actions, which are normally implemented during an attack, autonomously. And more. The UCAV, or Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle, also demonstrated the ability to handle other contingencies and hazards in the air that normal pilots potentially encounter. In particular, in the test, the intelligent U.S. technology was able to successfully cope with loss of communication, route deviations and possible failures.
New scenarios and many questions
The development of UCAV opens up new scenarios. Like drones, the system could be used to send “heavier” and more powerful aircraft into the air without putting the pilot’s safety at risk. However, the automated system raises some questions. Especially regarding the ethical aspect. Many experts argue that these warfare systems equipped with artificial intelligence and able to “reason” will increase the number of innocent civilians killed. Others argue the opposite.
The UCAV is not the only example of how automation has entered the cockpit. In fact, some time ago DARPA, the agency responsible for developing new technologies for the U.S. Department of Defense, created ALIAS, a mechanical arm capable of piloting an aircraft without human intervention.