The Air Force is investing in a fleet of over 1,000 autonomously operated drones, with plans for Secretary Frank Kendall to test one of the AI-operated warplanes this spring. Drone warfare has become a main weapon in combat, used in places like Ukraine targeting civilians and the Middle East to attack U.S. bases.
The Air Force’s fleet of collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs) will include AI-driven drones known as “loyal wingmen,” allowing one piloted jet to control multiple responsive drones. The goal is to design a fleet for future warfare, potentially including a conflict with China, to breach sophisticated air defenses and support various missions such as surveillance or jamming.
These drones are expected to be more cost-effective than developing new manned jets, with plans for each drone to cost about a quarter to a third of an F-35 fighter, around $20 million apiece. Tara Copp is a Pentagon correspondent for the Associated Press, providing insights into these developments.
