Air Force Wants Combat Drones Controlled by Piloted Aircraft

The U.S. Air Force wants to soon add to its arsenal remotely piloted air combat vehicles that may be networked and controlled by piloted aircraft.

Kimberly Johnson

Monday, December 13, 2021 at 06:34 PM ET

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GE’s XA100 and Pratt & Whitney's XA10 are under consideration as a potential powerplant upgrade for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. [Courtesy: U.S. Air Force]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force plans to introduce remotely piloted air combat vehicles into its arsenal, requesting funding for two classified programs in the FY23 budget.
These unmanned platforms are designed to be networked and controlled by manned aircraft (e.g., NGAD, F-22, F-35, B-21) to amplify combat capabilities and protect human pilots in dangerous environments.
This strategic shift is driven by the escalating technological and military competition with China, with existing initiatives like the Skyborg program already demonstrating successful autonomous teaming capabilities.

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The U.S. Air Force wants to soon add to its arsenal remotely piloted air combat vehicles that may be networked and controlled by piloted aircraft, according to the service’s top official.

The news comes days after USAF Secretary Frank Kendall also confirmed that the Air Force will ask for funding for two classified remotely piloted air combat vehicles in the next defense budget, according to reports.