The US military wants to create hundreds of AI-powered warplanes

It is no longer just an experiment. The US Army decided to invest in Production of military drones. And these are not just drones, like the ones we first saw used extensively in the war in Ukraine. According to a report published The New York Times The Air Force, the aviation division of the armed forces, would have requested a budget of $2,000 $5.8 billion To create a swarm of hundreds of AI-guided aircraft. Funds that will be used to support expenditures over the next five years.

The aircraft featured in these plans have war potential Much higher than commercial drones. The prototype closest to the models to be developed is XQ-58A ValkyrieProduced by the manufacturer Kratos. According to data published by Business Insider, this model is capable of traveling at a speed of 885 km / h, can reach an altitude of 14,000 meters, and has a range of more than 5,000 km, which is enough to fly over all of China starting from Taiwan. Since there is no pilot, there is no need to go back.

How do AI piloted aircraft work?

They are not just drones, capable of moving through enemy airspace and then detonating at an agreed signal. They are not even real combat aircraft with a pilot in command, who is able to choose how to move, when to engage in combat, and when to bomb the target. They are actually gods trip buddiesAble to support pilots on missions by moving alongside them, recording data and making a series of independently agreed decisions.

appearance of the XQ-58A Valkyrie It’s exactly somewhere between a drone and a fighter jet. What really changes is the cost. The Valkyrie archetype must be there $3 million. On the other hand, the cost of the F-35 fighter jet is very different. Everything changes based on the model and generation, but for the base model, prices in 2023 are there $70 million. According to The New York Times, the Air Force is considering developing the Penn 1000 and 2000 models from this type.

The first test of the Valkyrie aircraft

The Valkyrie has already flown in the company of another human-piloted aircraft. For the past few days this plane has been accompanying a flying exercise Ross Elder, Major in the Air Force. while he was driving F16Valkyrie followed him all the way to Florida’s Bay Area: “It feels so weird. I’m flying with something that makes its own decisions. And it’s not a human being.”