Skunk Works® Demonstrates Airborne Battle Management of AI-Controlled Aircraft
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, along with its Demonstrations and Prototypes organization and the University of Iowa's Operator Performance Laboratory, successfully demonstrated a crewed-uncrewed teaming mission. The test involved a human battle manager aboard an L-39 Albatros commanding AI-controlled L-29 Delfin jets through a touchscreen interface during simulated offensive counter air missions. The AI-controlled aircraft worked collaboratively to defeat mock enemy jets using simulated systems and weapons. This third test builds upon previous experiments in AI-controlled air-to-ground operations, marking the first inclusion of real-time human battle management overseeing AI actions.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, insieme alla sua organizzazione Demo e Prototipi e al Laboratorio di Performance dell'Operatore dell'Università dell'Iowa, ha dimostrato con successo una missione di collaborazione tra equipaggio e veicoli non pilotati. Il test ha coinvolto un gestore di battaglia umano a bordo di un L-39 Albatros che comandava aerei L-29 Delfin controllati da AI tramite un'interfaccia touchscreen durante simulazioni di missioni difensive aeree. Gli aerei controllati dall'AI hanno lavorato insieme per sconfiggere aerei nemici simulati utilizzando sistemi e armi simulati. Questo terzo test si basa su esperimenti precedenti nelle operazioni aeree controllate da AI, segnando la prima inclusione di gestione della battaglia umana in tempo reale che supervisiona le azioni dell'AI.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, junto con su organización de Demostraciones y Prototipos y el Laboratorio de Rendimiento del Operador de la Universidad de Iowa, demostró con éxito una misión de colaboración entre tripulación y vehículos no tripulados. La prueba involucró a un gestor de batalla humano a bordo de un L-39 Albatros que comandaba jets L-29 Delfin controlados por IA a través de una interfaz táctil durante simulaciones de misiones ofensivas de contraataque aéreo. Las aeronaves controladas por IA trabajaron de manera colaborativa para derrotar jets enemigos simulados utilizando sistemas y armas simulados. Esta tercera prueba se basa en experimentos anteriores en operaciones aéreas controladas por IA, marcando la primera inclusión de gestión de combate humana en tiempo real supervisando las acciones de la IA.
록히드 마틴 스컹크 웍스®는 데모 및 프로토타입 조직과 아이오와대학교 운영 성능 연구소와 함께 유인-무인 팀 Mission을 성공적으로 시연했습니다. 이 테스트는 L-39 알바트로스에 탑승한 인간 전투 관리자가 터치스크린 인터페이스를 통해 AI가 제어하는 L-29 델핀 전투기를 명령하는 방식으로 진행되었습니다. AI가 제어하는 항공기는 모의 적기와의 전투에서 모의 시스템과 무기를 사용하여 협력하여 승리했습니다. 이번 세 번째 시험은 AI가 제어하는 공중-지상 작전의 이전 실험에 기반하며, AI의 행동을 감독하는 실시간 인간 전투 관리의 첫 번째 포함을 기념하는 것입니다.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, en collaboration avec son organisation de Démonstrations et Prototypes et le Laboratoire de Performance des Opérateurs de l'Université de l'Iowa, a réussi à démontrer une mission de collaboration entre équipage et véhicules sans pilote. Le test a impliqué un gestionnaire de bataille humain à bord d'un L-39 Albatros commandant des jets L-29 Delfin contrôlés par IA via une interface tactile lors de simulations de missions offensives de contre-attaque aérienne. Les aéronefs contrôlés par l'IA ont travaillé de manière collaborative pour vaincre des jets ennemis simulés en utilisant des systèmes et des armes simulés. Ce troisième test s'appuie sur des expérimentations précédentes en opérations aériennes contrôlées par l'IA, marquant la première inclusion de la gestion humaine des batailles en temps réel supervisant les actions de l'IA.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® hat zusammen mit der Abteilung für Demonstrationen und Prototypen sowie dem Operator Performance Laboratory der Universität Iowa erfolgreich eine Mission für die Zusammenarbeit zwischen besetztem und unbesetztem Fliegen demonstriert. Der Test beinhaltete einen menschlichen Einsatzleiter an Bord eines L-39 Albatros, der AI-gesteuerte L-29 Delfin-Jets über eine Touchscreen-Oberfläche während simulierten offensiven Luftangriffsmissionen kommandierte. Die von KI gesteuerten Luftfahrzeuge arbeiteten zusammen, um simulierte feindliche Jets mit simulierten Systemen und Waffen zu besiegen. Dieser dritte Test basiert auf vorherigen Experimenten zu KI-gesteuerten Luft-zu-Boden-Operationen und stellt die erste Einbeziehung des realzeitlichen menschlichen Kampfmanagements dar, das die KI-Aktionen überwacht.
- Successfully demonstrated integration of AI-controlled aircraft with human battle management
- Advanced development in crewed-uncrewed teaming technology
- Expanded capabilities from air-to-ground to air-to-air combat operations
- None.
Insights
The successful demonstration of AI-controlled aircraft receiving real-time commands from human battle managers marks a significant technological milestone in military aviation. The integration of crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities showcases advanced AI decision-making in air-to-air combat scenarios, moving beyond previous air-to-ground applications.
The system's ability to execute complex offensive counter air missions through a touchscreen interface represents a leap in human-AI collaboration. This technology could significantly enhance military operational capabilities while reducing human pilot exposure to high-risk situations. The successful coordination between AI-controlled L-29 Delfins against mock enemy jets demonstrates the maturity of the underlying AI systems and their potential for real-world combat applications.
This advancement positions Lockheed Martin at the forefront of next-generation military aviation systems. The demonstration aligns with the Department of Defense's increasing focus on autonomous systems and human-machine teaming, potentially leading to future defense contracts and market opportunities.
The technology's ability to abbreviate data-to-decision timelines while maintaining human oversight addresses key military requirements for autonomous systems. This development could influence future defense procurement decisions and strengthen LMT's competitive position in the autonomous military aircraft sector, particularly as global defense forces seek to modernize their air combat capabilities.
In a series of flight tests, the Skunk Works and OPL teams simulated an offensive counter air mission where an airborne, human "battle manager" aboard an L-39 Albatros assigned targets to two AI-controlled L-29 Delfin jets, which then worked together to defeat two mock enemy jets using simulated mission systems and weapons.
"The work we're doing with the University of
These flight tests build on previous experiments that demonstrated AI-controlled air-to-ground jamming and geolocation. This year, the tests shifted to AI in air-to-air combat, where AI sends commands directly to the planes' autopilots. This is the third test of this type and the first to include a real-time human battle manager overseeing the AI's actions.
Skunk Works is dedicated to enabling crewed-uncrewed teaming to optimize operational flexibility, abbreviate data-to-decision timelines and improve pilot safety. We continue to invest in collaborative enablers to keep our customers ahead of emerging threats.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
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