By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Pew PatriotsPew PatriotsPew Patriots
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Reading: Fighter pilots integrate drones into air combat training
Share
Font ResizerAa
Pew PatriotsPew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Fighter pilots integrate drones into air combat training
Tactical

Fighter pilots integrate drones into air combat training

Jimmie Dempsey
Last updated: July 9, 2025 7:20 pm
Jimmie Dempsey Published July 9, 2025
Share
SHARE

U.S. Air Force fighter pilots integrated two Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie drones into an aerial combat training exercise at Florida’s Eglin Air Force Base in what the Air Force has described as “a major leap in human-machine teaming.”

Pilots of an F-16C Fighting Falcon and an F-15 Strike Eagle controlled two Valkryie drones each while flying, wielding them while performing combat maneuvers. The pilots successfully used their skills in harmony with the unmanned aerial vehicles in realtime.

“With this flight, we mark a crucial step in developing capabilities that harness human-machine teaming to overcome complex threats and expand our advantages,” Brig. Gen. Jason E. Bartolomei, commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, said in a release.

“By developing and integrating autonomous platforms with manned systems, we can quickly adapt, increase combat effectiveness, and reduce risk to our aircrews in contested environments.”

The Air Force Research Laboratory executed the training event alongside the Air Force Test Center, Air Combat Command and the U.S. Navy, with support from the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

The Valkyrie is a relatively low-cost and lightweight tactical UAV that can be operated remotely. It is extremely resilient, capable of performing a wide array of missions. During this exercise, the Valkyries served in a “loyal wingman” role to the fighter pilots, effectively functioning as partners.

The drones can also be used for stealth surveillance, as they can fly long range at high-subsonic speeds, and have interior bomb bays and wing stations that lend themselves to modification for different types of operations. They require no runways or airfields to operate successfully. They can also fly in swarms and deploy in formations.

“We are committed to innovation and integrating ACPs [autonomous collaborative platforms] through these kinds of demanding, operator-driven evaluations that allow us to learn rapidly and enhance our human-machine teams,” said Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander of Air Combat Command.

The test comes amid increasing exploration of unmanned systems as both a modernization and a cost-cutting measure by the Department of Defense. The U.S. Navy recently integrated robotic vessels into a key Baltic warfighting exercise and earlier in May conducted two unprecedented unmanned weapons tests.

About Zita Ballinger Fletcher

Zita Ballinger Fletcher previously served as editor of Military History Quarterly and Vietnam magazines and as the historian of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. She holds an M.A. with distinction in military history.

Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

The New EAA Witness 2311 Match X – A Killer Double-Stack 1911

First Look: Smith & Wesson New M&P15 Axe Rifle Series

Holster Review: Safariland 6354 RDSO For Walther PDP ACRO Professional

Thousands of military families use child care app devised by airman

US Navy reiterates social media limits for sailors and Marines

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Recommend
Luke Bryan calls out rowdy fans, Braxton Keith storms offstage as concert chaos spirals
News

Luke Bryan calls out rowdy fans, Braxton Keith storms offstage as concert chaos spirals

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey August 31, 2025
American Culture Quiz: Test yourself on fruity fallbacks and tech titans
Sunday Shoot-a-Round # 296
FBI investigates college swatting hoaxes terrorizing campuses across US
Chicago police will not collaborate with National Guard, federal agents if Trump moves on deployment: mayor
Sen. Bernie Sanders calls on RFK Jr. to resign following departure of CDC officials
Trump appointee exits US foreign aid agency after four-month sprint: ‘Mission accomplished’
News

Trump appointee exits US foreign aid agency after four-month sprint: ‘Mission accomplished’

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey August 31, 2025
Ex-Postal fraud investigator allegedly stole more than 0K from elderly scam victims he was meant to protect
News

Ex-Postal fraud investigator allegedly stole more than $330K from elderly scam victims he was meant to protect

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey August 31, 2025
No. 9 LSU earns hard-fought road victory after upsetting No. 4 Clemson
News

No. 9 LSU earns hard-fought road victory after upsetting No. 4 Clemson

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey August 31, 2025
Pew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
  • Guns and Gear
2024 © Pew Patriots. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?