The Air Force is staking a significant portion of its future air combat capabilities on a fleet of over 1,000 autonomously operated drones. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall revealed plans to embark on a test flight aboard one of these converted F-16 aircraft this spring to evaluate its performance in flight.
During a presentation on the company’s 2025 financial outlook, Kendall announced his intention to join a test flight on a helicopter-modified F-16 to assess its operational capabilities. He mentioned that a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s protection section would accompany him on the flight to observe the innovative engineering at work. Kendall expressed optimism that neither of them would actually need to pilot the aircraft.
The evolution of drone warfare has transformed it from a secondary tactic to a primary component of modern warfare. Drones have become a prevalent threat in regions like Ukraine and the Middle East. While Russian drones target civilians in Ukraine, Ukrainian forces utilize drones to gather intelligence on Russian activities. Militant groups, such as Iranian-backed Houthis, deploy various types of drones, including aerial, aquatic, and underwater, to target American military bases and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The Air Force initiated the development of its Creative Fight Aviation (CCA) program several years ago, aiming to integrate piloted aircraft with AI-driven drones, known as “loyal wingmen.” The specifics regarding the size and configuration of the drone fleet remain undisclosed. Kendall anticipates gaining insights into the technology behind these drones during the F-16 test flight.
The strategic significance of these drones lies in their potential to address challenges posed by advanced adversaries like China, who have bolstered their anti-access capabilities with sophisticated air defense systems. By leveraging drone technology for missions such as surveillance and jamming, the Air Force aims to enhance its operational capabilities and effectively counter evolving defenses.
While originally designed for air superiority missions, the aircraft’s versatility allows it to fulfill a range of roles beyond traditional combat functions. Kendall highlighted the cost-effectiveness of the drone fleet, estimating that each unit would be priced significantly lower than current manned fighter aircraft like the F-35, at approximately $20 million per unit.
