IOWA
CITY, Iowa, Nov. 21,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin Skunk
Works® (NYSE: LMT), in partnership with Lockheed Martin's
Demonstrations and Prototypes organization and the University of Iowa's Operator Performance
Laboratory (OPL), showcased a crewed-uncrewed teaming mission where
an airborne battle manager issued real-time commands to
AI-controlled aircraft through a touchscreen pilot vehicle
interface (PVI).
In a series of flight tests, the Skunk Works and OPL teams
simulated an offensive counter air mission where an airborne, human
"battle manager" aboard an L-39 Albatros assigned targets to two
AI-controlled L-29 Delfin jets, which then worked together to
defeat two mock enemy jets using simulated mission systems and
weapons.
"The work we're doing with the University
of Iowa's OPL is foundational for the future of air combat,
where a family of crewed and uncrewed systems will work together to
execute complex missions," said John
Clark, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin
Skunk Works. "We're excited to leverage our diverse skillsets to
advance all elements of this new way of operating."
These flight tests build on previous experiments that
demonstrated AI-controlled air-to-ground jamming and geolocation.
This year, the tests shifted to AI in air-to-air combat, where AI
sends commands directly to the planes' autopilots. This is the
third test of this type and the first to include a real-time human
battle manager overseeing the AI's actions.
Skunk Works is dedicated to enabling crewed-uncrewed teaming to
optimize operational flexibility, abbreviate data-to-decision
timelines and improve pilot safety. We continue to invest in
collaborative enablers to keep our customers ahead of emerging
threats.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company
driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our
all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century
Security® vision accelerate the delivery of
transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay
ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics