US 'heats up' race for AI to operate fighter jets

Russia's fifth-generation stealth aircraft Su-57 (Felon) will be equipped with an AI-powered communications system, according to state-owned corporation Rostec, as manufacturers race to build autonomous features into fighter jets.

“The equipment is designed for fifth-generation fighters,” Rostec said in a statement on its official website. “The use of this technology improves the quality of information transmission between aircraft and ground systems.”

Advantages in electronic warfare

AI-enabled devices could give fighter jets a huge advantage when it comes to electronic warfare. For example, onboard communications systems could automatically search for the most effective channels in the vicinity, along with anti-jamming or anti-interference capabilities.

“The device ensures reliability in information transmission thanks to features such as anti-interference coding, interleaving of symbols in the content, synchronization of signal processing, simultaneous transmission of messages through parallel channels, as well as increased range of stable communication…”, the Russian corporation said.

Russian Air Force's Su-57 gets significant upgrade with AI-integrated update

The new radio communications suite is not the first AI update for the Su-57. Previously, the Russian Air Force's flagship fighter jet was equipped with an AI system that helps pilots make decisions on the battlefield.

The Su-57 is a twin-engine stealth multirole fighter developed by Sukhoi for the Russian Aerospace Forces, first put into service in 2020, with the aim of gradually replacing the MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft.

Russia’s fifth-generation fighter jet is in the race to become one of the first aircraft to fly with the help of AI, while the US military hopes its sixth-generation fighters will be equipped with the option of flying without a pilot.

AI can also help with information sharing and coordination between attack aircraft. For example, the UK, Italy and Japan are developing a new fighter jet called the Tempest that uses AI algorithms to interact and coordinate combat between allies. It also has the option of flying without a pilot thanks to a new computer system.

More “open” to the use of AI

The U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program aims to develop a fighter jet that will succeed the Lockheed F-22 Raptor. The program's goals include autonomous aircraft and other features that could provide an advantage in tight combat situations on the battlefield.

“We’re seeing fighter squadrons accepting more freedom for autonomous systems, not just in patrol, but whether it’s mission signals, electronic warfare, or other functional communications,” Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, told National Defense.

The test shows that the wave of fully computer-controlled jets is coming soon.

An AI “agent” recently flew a Lockheed Martin-built VISTA X-62A fighter jet for more than 17 hours at the US Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base in California, marking the first time AI has been used on a tactical aircraft.

The VISTA test aircraft is built on a modified F-16D Block 30 Peace Marble II fighter, equipped with software that allows it to mimic the performance of other aircraft.

AI is also attracting interest from companies that provide technology services. ShieldAI, a startup in the industry, said its Hivemind software is a “dual-purpose” AI pilot for both commercial and military use, capable of performing a variety of tasks, from penetrating air defense systems to aerial combat.

A few years ago, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said that fighter jets would soon be obsolete due to AI advances. However, military experts say that this technology still has a long way to go before it can completely replace human pilots.

(According to PopMech)

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