The X-62A has been flown by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms developed under DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program for 17 hours during test flights at the Air Force Test Pilot School (TPS) at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
The highly modified two-seat F-16 VISTA, was upgraded with the System for Autonomous Control of Simulation (SACS), making it a perfect platform to test ACE’s autonomous F-16 AI agents. The aircraft can be programmed to demonstrate the flight-handling characteristics of a variety of different aircraft types. The main component of the SACS system is the Skunk Works Enterprise-wide Open Systems Architecture (E-OSA) which controls the Enterprise Mission Computer version 2 (EMC2), also known as the “Einstein Box.”
According to Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Hefron, the DARPA program manager for ACE, the team didn’t run into any major issues during the tests, but they did encounter some differences compared to simulation-based results, which is expected when transitioning from virtual to live. The test highlights the importance of not only flight testing advanced autonomous capabilities but doing so on testbeds like VISTA, which allowed the team to rapidly learn lessons and iterate at a much faster rate than with other air vehicles.
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My question is were pilots left alone to guide the X-62A to tankers during the 17 hour flight?
If so, they had heavy duty diapers to handle natural needs and we’re limited to eating yogurt instead of food and drank bottled water.