The US Air Force and DARPA have successfully begun flight testing an AI-controlled F-16 fighter jet modified under the VENOM (Viper Experimentation and Next-generation Operations Model) program. The historic VENOM milestone demonstrates scalable AI development capabilities for the operational fleet, with the aircraft able to switch between human and AI control during flight for safe testing of autonomous technologies.

“These groundbreaking flight tests of VENOM-modified F-16s advance the infrastructure needed to develop trusted, autonomous air combat capabilities,” said Brig. Gen. James “Fangs” Valpiani

The milestone builds on earlier AI flight demonstrations and supports the next phase of DARPA’s Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) program. The goal is to develop trusted AI that can assist pilots and eventually enable teams of autonomous aircraft to operate alongside human pilots in future combat missions, advancing the US military’s next generation of air warfare capabilities.