DARPA Advances AI-Powered Fighter Jet Project to an Advanced Stage
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is making significant strides in its Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) program, a stage two initiative of the Air Combat Evolution (ACE) project. This program aims to equip F-16 fighter jets with AI-driven autonomy, enabling them to operate in multi-ship missions beyond visual range.
In August 2025, DARPA awarded an $11.3 million contract modification to Systems & Technology Research (STR) to continue work on this phase, confirming active progress and development of the autonomy technologies initially tested in the ACE program. The company has reportedly completed the first stated goal of "Creating fast and accurate models that capture uncertainty and automatically improve with more data."
The AIR program builds on the successes of the ACE trial, where AI-piloted F-16s engaged in dogfights against human pilots. This second phase aims to raise autonomy levels significantly by enabling coordinated multi-ship operations for combat missions. This represents a push toward future combat jets flying with tactical independence, potentially transforming manned-unmanned teaming in aerial combat scenarios.
The systems developed under the AIR program will continue to use existing sensor and weapons technologies. Notably, Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems have been involved in the first stages of the AIR program but have not been confirmed for phase two. DARPA is planning to shrink its group of prospective contractors for phase two from six to four.
Meanwhile, DARPA is also developing an autonomous, unmanned surface vessel, the USX-1 Defiant. However, the AIR program is exclusively focused on airborne technology.
As the AIR program progresses, the systems must meet currently undefined benchmarks to show the capability of producing an uncrewed combat aerial vehicle. The ultimate goal is to develop AI-driven algorithms for real-time distributed autonomous tactical execution, paving the way for a future where fighter jets can operate autonomously in complex, dynamic, and uncertain operational environments.
- Gizmodo reports that the progress and development of the autonomy technologies in DARPA's Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) program, part of the Air Combat Evolution (ACE) project, are actively increasing, with significant strides being made.
- The technology company, Systems & Technology Research (STR), recently completed the first stated goal of the AIR program, which involves creating fast and accurate models that capture uncertainty and automatically improve with more data, demonstrating the success of the program.
- The future of combat missions may see a transformation as the AIR program, aimed at raising autonomy levels significantly, works towards enabling coordinated multi-ship operations for fighter jets, potentially leading to autonomous combat aerial vehicles with tactical independence.
