Artificial intelligence optimizes modern fighter aircraft, improving weapon systems, decision-making and human-machine collaboration.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the combat systems of modern fighter aircraft is profoundly transforming the operational capabilities of air forces. This technological development aims to improve decision-making, mission effectiveness and fighter pilot safety.

Optimization of weapons systems and sensors

AI plays a crucial role in improving the weapons systems and sensors of combat aircraft. Designation pods, such as the Talios pod developed by Thales, illustrate this progress. This device is designed to provide air-to-ground missile guidance capabilities through laser designation, long-range damage assessment and target recognition. It is equipped with dual-band day/night reconnaissance modes and airborne target identification. Talios can transmit and receive data in real time, thus improving interoperability between platforms. From 2026, with the arrival of the Rafale’s F4.3 standard, this pod will use AI to perform deep learning, allowing a given area to be scanned, images to be analyzed automatically and detected objects of interest to be submitted to the crew. This capability will make it possible to spot small objects while maintaining a safe distance.

In addition, the Rafale’s F4 standard incorporates significant improvements thanks to AI. These improvements concern the human-machine interface with the introduction of the Scorpion helmet sight, offering a representation of the tactical situation and an intuitive interface with the weapon system. Connectivity is enhanced by the integration of CONTACT radio, compatible with the army’s SCORPION system, and a secure intelligent communication server providing data encryption and cyberprotection. The RBE2-AESA radar has also been improved, particularly in air-to-ground mode, with functions such as the ground moving target indicator (GMTI) and ultra-high resolution mapping. These advances enable more accurate detection and better identification of threats.

AI is also used to manage increasingly complex weapons systems. For example, a fighter plane centralizes massive data from various sources. AI helps to process it to make it available and intelligible, allowing pilots and human operators to make the most of it. This utility grows with the management of swarm drones or loyale wingmen, these heavy combat drones interacting with pilots in real time.

Autonomy and human-machine collaboration

AI is at the heart of the development of autonomous systems and human-machine collaboration in fighter planes. The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat, formerly known as the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS), is a stealth multirole drone being developed by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force. It is designed to be able to fly alongside piloted aircraft and to carry out autonomous missions using AI. The Ghost Bat is intended to accompany and support piloted aircraft, such as the F-35A, F/A-18F and E-7A, for defense and surveillance purposes. It can act as a wingman controlled from a parent aircraft to perform tasks such as reconnaissance or protection against enemy fire, as well as operate independently.

The Future Air Combat System (SCAF), developed jointly by France, Germany and Spain, also illustrates this trend. The SCAF air combat cloud puts real-time intelligence at the forefront by exploiting the networked capabilities of different aircraft and platforms. Innovations in AI, big data processing and cybernetics are helping to make defense a truly collaborative mission. This system aims to create an ecosystem where fighter planes, drones and other units interact seamlessly, sharing information in real time to optimize military operations.

In addition, programs such as the US Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aim to develop AI-equipped fighters to improve operational efficiency. These sixth-generation fighters integrate AI to analyze data in real time, enabling fast and accurate decision-making during missions.

Ethical and strategic challenges

The integration of AI into fighter jet combat systems raises ethical and strategic questions. The possibility that fully autonomous lethal weapons systems could make decisions without human intervention is a cause for concern. Discussions are ongoing at the international level to establish regulations governing the use of AI in the military domain. France, for example, has adopted a strategy on AI for defense, refusing to entrust a life-or-death decision to a machine.

In addition, increased reliance on AI technologies could make military systems vulnerable to cyberattacks. Securing these systems is therefore a priority for the armed forces. Investments in cybersecurity and system resilience are essential to prevent adversaries from taking control of or disrupting the weapons systems of combat aircraft. Electronic warfare and cybersecurity are thus becoming key elements in the design of future fighter aircraft equipped with artificial intelligence. The US Air Force, for example, is developing advanced digital intrusion protection protocols in its NGAD and Skyborg programs.

Another challenge lies in the reliability of the algorithms. AI systems must be extensively tested to avoid critical errors. In combat situations, an erroneous decision made by a poorly calibrated algorithm could endanger human lives or cause significant collateral damage. This is why designers always integrate human supervision into the decision-making loop of autonomous weapons systems.

The future of artificial intelligence in military aviation

Advances in artificial intelligence are profoundly transforming military aviation. In the medium term, sixth-generation fighter jets will incorporate even more sophisticated AI systems for pilot assistance, swarm combat management with drones and real-time threat analysis. SCAF and NGAD are concrete examples of this evolution.

One of the most promising developments concerns the integration of machine learning in combat systems. Programs such as ACE (Autonomous Combat Engagement) of the US Air Force aim to train algorithms to conduct aerial combat against human pilots. In 2020, an AI developed by Heron Systems beat an experienced fighter pilot in a simulated combat in five consecutive rounds, demonstrating the potential of these technologies.

Investment in AI applied to fighter planes is growing strongly. In 2024, the US Department of Defense budget for the development of military AI will exceed 2.5 billion euros, divided between research into aircraft autonomy, cybersecurity and decision-making intelligence. In Europe, France, Germany and the United Kingdom are also increasing their investment in similar programs.

In the long term, the integration of AI could lead to fully autonomous fighter planes, capable of carrying out missions without a human pilot on board. However, ethical and technological barriers persist, delaying this prospect. The gradual adoption of “loyal wingmen”, semi-autonomous drones accompanying piloted aircraft, seems to be an intermediate step towards this transformation.

Artificial intelligence is gradually establishing itself in military aviation, optimizing the performance of fighter planes and changing the nature of air operations. Despite strategic and ethical challenges, the world’s armed forces are continuing to develop in this area, with massive investments and constant technological innovations.

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