The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is entering a new era of aerial warfare, where human pilots and artificial intelligence (AI)-controlled drones learn to fly and fight side by side. The program, often referred to as “Top Gun AI,” aims to prepare pilots for a future where autonomous systems like the XQ-58 Valkyrie act as trusted wingmen in combat, capable of reacting and maneuvering faster than any human could.
The USAF’s collaboration with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions centers on the XQ-58 Valkyrie, a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) designed to operate seamlessly alongside manned fighters such as the F-35, F-22, F-15EX, and F-18. Built under the Low-Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator program, the Valkyrie combines stealth, speed, and affordability.
The Valkyrie can reach speeds of 0.86 Mach (around 659 mph), fly up to 45,000 feet, and cover 3,000 nautical miles while carrying a payload of 6,000 pounds. Its AI system allows the drone to make split-second tactical decisions, adapting its flight path and combat maneuvers autonomously.
Major Trent McMullen of the USAF shared his experience flying alongside the AI-driven Valkyrie, telling CBS News that such drones could be tasked with intercepting enemy aircraft in future missions. The exercise, he said, revealed just how quick and unpredictable AI decision-making can be in real-time flight.
“Humanoids fall down. They break. Their code crashes,” McMullen said, describing the steep learning curve of coordinating with machines that never tire or hesitate.
The Eglin Air Force Base in Florida has become a testing ground for this human-machine teaming initiative. The 96th Test Wing’s 40th Flight Test Squadron recently ran simulated combat missions with pilots managing AI-powered Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs). According to General Adrian Spain, head of Air Combat Command, the USAF plans to integrate these AI-piloted drones into manned flight formations, allowing for coordinated strikes and reconnaissance missions.
Earlier this year, the Air Force also made progress on the F-16 “VENOM” project, a program modifying existing F-16 fighter jets to operate semi-autonomously. Three of the six F-16s are currently undergoing hardware, software, and instrumentation upgrades, enabling the jets to fly under AI control with a human pilot supervising the process.
These hybrid missions test not just the aircraft’s technological resilience, but also the physical limits of pilots during aggressive maneuvers. Within 18 months, the Air Force expects to have a fully modified VENOM aircraft ready for live autonomous testing.
Despite rapid progress, USAF officials emphasize that complete autonomy remains impractical for now. While AI systems can assist with targeting, defense, and tactical positioning, the Air Force maintains that human judgment and command authority are essential.
Still, the advantages of AI-powered drones are undeniable: reduced pilot risk, faster decision-making, and the ability to deploy large numbers of low-cost, high-performance aircraft for missions ranging from air defense to enemy interception.