US Air Force to pit human fighter pilot against AI-manned aircraft in real-life air combat

The US Air Force Thunderbirds fly over Los Angeles, California on May 15 as a salute to frontline Covid-19 workers. — AFP Relaxnews

Last week, Air Force Magazine reported that the US Air Force will be putting a human pilot up against an autonomous aircraft in air-to-air combat next July.

Researchers for the United States Air Force are developing an AI-powered autonomous aircraft that could potentially take down a human-manned aircraft; their goal is to put a human pilot up against this AI in air-to-air combat – which was a challenge inspired by statements made by Elon Musk earlier this year – in July 2021.