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I don't understand the use-case of adapting human piloted offensive military aircraft to autonomous operation. A pure UAV would be more optimized for this role.

I don't understand the use-case of adapting human piloted offensive military aircraft to autonomous operation. A pure UAV would be more optimized for this role. I can't find the reference, but a business jet was experimentally converted to autonomous operation (under human supervision and remote control ability).

SR2Z 4y ago
There might not be UAVs with the same performance as a real fighter jet.
- tstrimple 4y ago
  An F-16 is certainly capable of doing more than a human pilot can withstand, so from that standpoint you could improve the capabilities of an F-16 with an AI pilot. But the aircraft is still designed around a human pilot with human variables in mind. A drone crafted for an AI could have substantially better acceleration and banking capabilities, but I believe most drones today are the very high altitude very long range variety and aren't focused on dog fighting capabilities. A purpose built drone dog fighter would be dramatically more capable than an F-16.
  - robertlagrant 4y ago
    That might be where it ends up, but it would be silly to design a new platform before the AI is well understood. Better to retrofit something existing.
    - tstrimple 4y ago
      I'd agree. Proof of concept with existing technology to better understand the possibilities and problem areas. If you prove the AI can effectively fly an F-16, they are in a better place to build a drone suited to purpose.
  - ianburrell 4y ago
    We don't know what purpose drone fighter would be capable of. There are physical limits beyond limits of the pilot. One indication that nobody is investigating high-maneuverability drones is that the demonstrators are mostly stealthy flying wings. Flying wings are less maneuverable and planes need stabilizers for that. It is the difference between B-2 and F-22. I think we will see drones in more in support roles; Navy made an aerial refueling drone. Also, the tactics for air-to-air combat have changed. It doesn't matter if can maneuver more if can't outrun a missile. Russia still emphasizes dogfighting but the US is all about missiles and energy management.
  - jki275 4y ago
    It's called an SM-2, and it already exists.
SilverBirch 4y ago
It costs hundreds of millions to design a new jet, much cheaper to adapt an existing design.
deleted 4y ago
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meepmorp 4y ago
Because this way you can reuse existing hardware, as well as gauge the AI's performance compared to human pilots on a similar platform. And, you're developing options for upgrading F-16s to autonomous, uncrewed jet fighters.
- deleted 4y ago
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jki275 4y ago
They've got F16s that are in use as drones right now. This is just adding the HiveMind AI to it.

SR2Z 4y ago

There might not be UAVs with the same performance as a real fighter jet.

tstrimple 4y ago
An F-16 is certainly capable of doing more than a human pilot can withstand, so from that standpoint you could improve the capabilities of an F-16 with an AI pilot. But the aircraft is still designed around a human pilot with human variables in mind. A drone crafted for an AI could have substantially better acceleration and banking capabilities, but I believe most drones today are the very high altitude very long range variety and aren't focused on dog fighting capabilities. A purpose built drone dog fighter would be dramatically more capable than an F-16.
- robertlagrant 4y ago
  That might be where it ends up, but it would be silly to design a new platform before the AI is well understood. Better to retrofit something existing.
  - tstrimple 4y ago
    I'd agree. Proof of concept with existing technology to better understand the possibilities and problem areas. If you prove the AI can effectively fly an F-16, they are in a better place to build a drone suited to purpose.
- ianburrell 4y ago
  We don't know what purpose drone fighter would be capable of. There are physical limits beyond limits of the pilot. One indication that nobody is investigating high-maneuverability drones is that the demonstrators are mostly stealthy flying wings. Flying wings are less maneuverable and planes need stabilizers for that. It is the difference between B-2 and F-22. I think we will see drones in more in support roles; Navy made an aerial refueling drone. Also, the tactics for air-to-air combat have changed. It doesn't matter if can maneuver more if can't outrun a missile. Russia still emphasizes dogfighting but the US is all about missiles and energy management.
- jki275 4y ago
  It's called an SM-2, and it already exists.

SilverBirch 4y ago

It costs hundreds of millions to design a new jet, much cheaper to adapt an existing design.

deleted 4y ago

[deleted]

meepmorp 4y ago

Because this way you can reuse existing hardware, as well as gauge the AI's performance compared to human pilots on a similar platform. And, you're developing options for upgrading F-16s to autonomous, uncrewed jet fighters.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]

jki275 4y ago

They've got F16s that are in use as drones right now. This is just adding the HiveMind AI to it.