All articles tagged with #autonomous aircraft
Anduril's YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft has begun flight testing, marking a rapid development from design to flight in just 556 days, with a focus on autonomy, mass production, and collaboration with the U.S. Air Force to enhance air superiority and adapt to evolving threats.
Chipotle is partnering with Zipline to test drone delivery in Dallas, allowing select customers to receive orders via autonomous aircraft from a local restaurant, with plans for broader rollout and potential expansion based on test results.
The US Air Force is testing a self-flying F-16 fighter jet, with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall volunteering to be a passenger to observe the autonomous technology in action. The AI-operated drones are designed with a potential future conflict with China in mind and could offer smarter, more efficient, and more affordable capabilities than traditional manned aircraft. However, concerns about the reliance on AI for strategic decisions have been raised, with critics cautioning against the potential risks of rapid conflict escalation.
Defense contractor Anduril has unveiled Roadrunner, a novel missile-like air vehicle that is highly modular, autonomous, and reusable. The Roadrunner-M version is equipped with a high-explosive warhead and can function as a low-cost loitering anti-air interceptor, capable of returning home for refueling and reuse. The platform, powered by twin turbojets, has been in development for two years and has undergone extensive flight testing. It can be quickly refueled and redeployed within minutes. Anduril aims to produce thousands of units and is also exploring other applications for Roadrunner, including firefighting and air-to-surface strikes.