Air Force Tests Autonomous Aircraft Systems in Nevada

The Air Force Research Laboratory and Air Combat Command 's Experimental Operations Unit recently flew the XQ-67A Autonomous Collaborative Platform in the Nevada Test and Training Range marking a technology milestone in autonomous capabilities for the future fight.

"By pairing AFRL's rapid prototyping with ACC's operational test units, the Air Force is shortening the timeline between concept and warfighter capability," said DAF Deputy Technology Executive Officer for Air Col. Matthew Caspers.

During the flight, the XQ-67A demonstrated integration of several advanced mission systems, including state-of-the-art sensors, mission computers, and power and thermal management hardware, all designed to work collaboratively in demanding combat environments.

Additionally, the integration of Beyond Line-of-Sight datalinks and live, virtual and constructive simulations during the flight demonstrated management of uncrewed platforms across distributed theaters, bolstering deterrence through resilient, layered command and control.

"This proved that AFRL's autonomous architectures, aligned with Autonomy and Agile Mission Suite Government Reference Architectures, can reliably process and relay combat-relevant data in real-world scenarios," said Trenton White, aerospace engineer in AFRL's Air Warfare directorate.

The research and development investment in unified platforms like the XQ-67A validates how uncrewed systems can extend the operational reach of crewed fighter formations. It provides solutions for equipping commanders with deep situational awareness and adding affordable operational mass to the fleet, all while significantly reducing risk to human aircrews.