Lockheed Martin has announced the successful demonstration of artificial intelligence capabilities for controlling drones. The advanced stealth fighter F-35 is now equipped to manage unmanned aerial vehicles, including future fleets under the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
In a recent showcase, the company demonstrated seamless AI integration to operate a drone during flight, leveraging the same hardware and software architectures designed for upcoming F-35 flight tests. According to Lockheed Martin, these AI-enabled architectures not only establish the feasibility of manned-unmanned collaboration but also lay the groundwork for incremental improvements in these systems.
The company showcased a drone control interface capable of managing multiple UAVs directly from the cockpit of an F-35 or F-22 fighter jet. This technology enables pilots to direct several drones toward enemy targets using a touchscreen tablet integrated into the aircraft’s cockpit. “We continue to make significant investments aimed at achieving the next level of air dominance, where fighters and drones operate together safely to strengthen the Joint Force,” said O.J. Sanchez, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.
In November 2024, Lockheed Martin announced successful trials where a pilot of an L-39 Albatros controlled two L-29 Delfin aircraft equipped with AI-driven flight technology via a touchscreen interface. The pilot assigned targets to the AI-enabled aircraft, which then coordinated their actions autonomously. According to the company, this control architecture closely resembles the system demonstrated on the F-35.
Lockheed Martin states that it leverages AI to enhance human capabilities and demonstrate how systems can work collaboratively in combat environments to enable faster decision-making and greater adaptability. “The days when numerical superiority guaranteed air dominance are over,” the company said in a statement. “All systems operating in the battlespace must work together to overcome the adversary.”
Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division developed a technological roadmap a decade ago aimed at enabling fighters and drones to safely interact and execute complex missions together. The company claims this work will provide the United States and its allies with cutting-edge capabilities for maintaining air superiority.
Air dominance in high-stakes future threat environments will require a combination of advanced current-generation fighters and next-generation aircraft operating alongside autonomous vehicles. According to Lockheed Martin, this operational framework will rely not only on state-of-the-art aircraft and drones but also on the seamless and secure integration of these systems.
Source: interestingengineering
