Fighter Pilot Controls Drone From Cockpit in Test

Company is experimenting with autonomous and AI-driven drone integration.

Zach Vasile

Thursday, November 20, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

F-22 Raptor [Credit: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works and the U.S. Air Force successfully tested technology enabling F-22 Raptor pilots to control an uncrewed drone while in flight.
During the test at Nellis Air Force Base, a pilot used a cockpit interface to command the drone to execute a specific mission profile.
This advancement allows single-seat aircraft to command and control drones via intuitive interfaces, signifying a breakthrough in air combat capability.
Lockheed Martin is heavily investing in autonomous and AI technology, particularly focused on integrating drones with its F-22 and F-35 fighter jets.

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Lockheed Martin’s advanced development arm Skunk Works and the U.S. Air Force have successfully tested technology that allows fighter pilots to control a drone while in flight.

During a recent flight out of Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, an F-22 Raptor pilot used a pilot vehicle interface (PVI) in the cockpit to send control directions to an uncrewed aerial system (UAS), Lockheed said.