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Fully autonomous F-16 fighter jet takes part in simulated dogfights

An F-16 fighter jet controlled by AI has taken off, taken part in aerial fights against other aircraft and landed without human help

By Matthew Sparkes

15 February 2023

Modified F-16 fighter jet, known as the X-62A, that has been piloted by an AI

This modified F-16 fighter jet, known as the X-62A, has been piloted by artificial intelligence

US Air Force/Christian Turner/DARPA

An artificial intelligence has controlled a US F-16 fighter jet in dogfights against other aircraft in tests.

The series of AI-powered flights took place in December 2022 but have just been revealed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the research and development branch of the US Department of Defense.

DARPA has previously tested AI control of jets on a simulator as part of its Air Combat Evolution programme. That research has now progressed to …

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