An interesting concept for an AI wingman. Though, you have to wonder how such technology would be abused with no human in control to push back on orders?
https://conservativeplaybook.com/andurils-new-ai-drone-wingman-takes-to-the-skies/
By Patty Atwood
Anduril has launched its prototype drone wingman into the air for the first time, marking a step forward in the Air Force’s push for unmanned combat support. The YFQ-44A completed its maiden flight on October 31 at a test site in California, following months of ground preparations.
This drone, part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, aims to pair with piloted fighters like the F-35 and future models. The Air Force envisions deploying over a thousand of these AI-guided machines for tasks ranging from strikes to surveillance and jamming enemy signals.
Competition in the program remains fierce. General Atomics got its YFQ-42A airborne back in August, putting Anduril slightly behind schedule due to software tweaks needed for true semiautonomous operation. Anduril’s approach skipped remote piloting entirely, with all tests running on onboard autonomy.
“This is a new age of air power,” said Jason Levin, Anduril’s senior vice president of engineering for air dominance and strike. “There is no operator with a stick and throttle flying the aircraft behind the scenes.”
The company pulled off the feat in just 556 days from initial design to liftoff, a pace that outstrips traditional defense timelines. Air Force leaders see this as proof that pitting contractors against each other speeds up development and cuts risks.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink noted the milestone shows “how competition drives innovation and accelerates delivery.” The service plans to pick a winner for production soon, likely within the current fiscal year.
Anduril, founded by tech entrepreneur Palmer Luckey, has positioned itself as a disruptor in the defense world, challenging giants like Lockheed Martin with faster, cheaper tech. This drone’s success could shift how the military builds its arsenal, leaning more on agile startups over entrenched bureaucracies.
Recent reports suggest the program faces scrutiny amid budget debates, with some questioning if the rush toward autonomy invites vulnerabilities from cyber threats or foreign interference. Still, proponents argue it’s essential for staying ahead of adversaries like China, who are pouring resources into similar unmanned systems.
As testing continues, the Air Force will gather data to refine tactics for teaming drones with human pilots. If all goes well, these wingmen could reshape air combat, making U.S. forces more lethal and versatile without putting more lives at risk.