Pentagon to purchase thousands of AI-powered unmanned fighters

The United States Air Force intends to purchase at least a thousand unmanned fighters that can operate autonomously thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). The US military plans to receive the first 100 aircraft in the next five years.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the unmanned fighters will be designed to escort and protect manned aircraft (such as the F-35 or B-21), and they could carry their own weapons to attack air and ground targets. Unmanned fighter jets are supposed to help contain China.

According to Air Force specifications, the planes will be able to fly just below the speed of sound, carrying missiles and other weapons to attack enemy aircraft and ground targets, including ships.

It is reported that they can also be used in reconnaissance and used as a “communications hub.” The development program budget is $6 billion. It is known that Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics and Anduril Industries are working on a program to create a new aircraft. By this summer, the Pentagon wants to decide on two companies that will receive such a contract.

Not having a crew should allow drones to perform riskier manoeuvres that are physically impossible for a pilot to handle, say Air Force officials and flight software developers.

The Air Force estimates the drone will cost the U.S. $20 million to $30 million, although industry leaders expect it to eventually drop to about $10 million or less. For comparison, the F-35 costs about $100 million, and one new B-21 bomber is estimated at $750 million.