Christine Thropp
Cubic‘s defense-focused business arm is among the partners of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency working on the Air Combat Evolution program.
The company said Wednesday ACE program uses a modified F-16 equipped with autonomous artificial intelligence control known as the X-62A or Variable In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft. It poses human-machine collaborative dogfighting as a challenge problem meant to boost trust in combat autonomy.
The Secure Live Virtual and Constructive Advanced Training Environment, or SLATE, system of Cubic was added to the AI engine of X-62A to provide it with high-fidelity Time Space Position Information and enable follow-on maneuvering in real world conditions.
ACE marked the first-ever in-air tests of AI algorithms– autonomous flying within-visual-range combat scenarios against a human-piloted F-16 aircraft.
“The potential for autonomous air-to-air combat has been imaginable for decades, but the reality has remained a distant dream up until now,” said Frank Kendall, the Air Force secretary and a five-time Wash100 recipient. “In 2023, the X-62A broke one of the most significant barriers in combat aviation. This is a transformational moment, all made possible by breakthrough accomplishments of the X-62A ACE team.”
Cubic works with academia, government and private industry partners on the DARPA initiative.
