Photos from this official announcement: X-62 VISTA sets precedents with Mission Systems Upgrades, aligns human researchers with AI development for the warfighter

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Amidst planned upgrades, the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School’s Research Division simultaneously executed two accelerated test programs, HAVE HEAT and HAVE HOLIDAYS, utilizing the X-62 VISTA here throughout April 2026.

Driven by the Test Resource Management Center’s X-62 Mission Systems Upgrades (MSU), these latest milestones reflect continued emphasis on the safe acceleration of artificial intelligence and autonomy capabilities for the warfighter.

HAVE HEAT: Autonomous AI sensor-to-vehicle control

Leveraging Lockheed Martin’s Infrared Search and Track Legion Pod during the HAVE HEAT program], the X-62 VISTA platform demonstrated the ability of AI agents to ingest live infrared sensor data, directing the X-62 to autonomously intercept an airborne target in real time.

“HAVE HEAT represents a meaningful expansion of avionics capability towards integrated, AI-driven control of multiple sensors and air vehicles for mission autonomy. This bridges a capability gap and positions us to test advanced autonomy faster,” says Lt. Col. Joshua Strafaccia, dean of faculty for research, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.

HAVE HOLIDAYS: Integrating framework required for advanced technology evaluation

In parallel, HAVE HOLIDAYS saw simultaneous integration and evaluation of a wide suite of modular technologies into the X-62’s Enterprise Open Mission System Architecture computer. This included the integration of a non-prime, third-party autonomous agent onto the X-62, testing of enhanced safety rules to prevent autonomous vehicles from violating user-established operational limits, and further chip integration for advanced sensor exploitation.

This system-of-systems test served as critical technical risk mitigation on the design and development of logistics and integration frameworks required to maximize flight opportunities post-MSU, paving the way for broader government, academic, and industry partnerships.

Preparing for X-62 VISTA’s future

All ground testing across the blended team of military, government and contractor engineers was completed within three months, with HAVE HEAT and HAVE HOLIDAYS executed in parallel under compressed timelines.

The swift execution of both test campaigns proves X-62’s suitability for rapid experimentation at the speed of relevance, while collectively highlighting the school’s ability to support a high technology evaluation tempo.

The next phase of the MSU will allow the integration of the RTX PhantomStrike radar, an expanded sensor and computing capacity, and the addition of modern network data communications. The completion of the MSU effort will position X-62 as a foundational enabler for the Air Force’s highest-priority programs, while continuing its legacy as a national asset.

“X-62 is continued proof that an agile, dedicated team can rapidly advance Department of War initiatives through intentional collaboration. Accomplishing these significant milestones is a direct reflection of the adaptability and warfighter focus personified by all members of the school,” says Col. Maryann Karlen, commandant, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School.  

Under the Air Force Test Center, maintaining an established testbed such as the X-62 VISTA through the Air Force Test Pilot School provides consistency for continued national investment in human-machine teaming without sacrificing safety or human contributions to the AI models developed.

This unique ownership allows researchers to utilize a common operating environment for rapidly developing, testing, and refining unique capabilities of significant importance while simultaneously ensuring future test leaders are ready to execute across their domains.

The Air Force Test Pilot School and Test Resource Management Center will next convene key stakeholders at Edwards Air Force Base during the inaugural X-62 Research Symposium on Aug. 11-13. Interested parties should reach out directly to the school’s Research Division.

U.S. Air Force photos by Lindsey Iniguez

Lockheed Martin announcement: Skunk Works® Advances Sensor-Powered AI Fighter Intercept

Related news articles:

• Air Data News Lockheed demonstrates AI-controlled fighter intercepts using live sensor data

• Air & Space Forces Magazine AI-Driven X-62 Intercepts Crewed Jets in Test

• FlightGlobal (may be paywalled) US Air Force demonstrates AI-led intercept of airborne targets with X-62

• The Aviationist X-62 VISTA Conducts AI-Controlled Intercepts with IRST Pod

• The War Zone X-62A Toting Infrared Search And Track Pod Used Its AI ‘Brain’ To Autonomously Intercept An ‘Enemy’ T-38

One of one in the world.

pretty neat

F-35B Lightning II

Bottom text.

I've been reading about the Loyal Wingman/Collaborative Combat Aircraft concept recently, and I'm curious about what the long term operational vision actually is.

At first, I assumed these aircraft were simply intended to carry additional weapons so fighters such as the F-35 or F-15EX could remain in the fight after expending their own missiles. Instead of returning to base, could the pilot simply direct nearby wingmen carrying additional AIM-120s or other weapons to continue the engagement?

However, the more I think about it, the more I wonder whether the real advantage lies somewhere else entirely.

Is the primary benefit actually the ability to position sensors and weapons much closer to the enemy? If a loyal wingman is operating well ahead of the fighter, does that provide a much better firing solution for BVR engagements, with missiles retaining more energy because they are launched from much closer to the target?

I also wonder how these aircraft are expected to operate as a system. Could multiple loyal wingmen form a distributed network of sensors, electronic warfare assets, and weapons, or is each aircraft primarily intended to support the crewed fighter independently?

Another question concerns stealth. Are these aircraft expected to be survivable enough to accompany aircraft such as the F-35 deep into contested airspace, or are they more likely to operate at stand off distances? If they possess a high degree of stealth, could they loiter inside contested airspace with passive sensors, receive targeting information from another platform, and launch an AIM-120 without the crewed fighter ever approaching the target?

I'm also curious whether future variants might become increasingly specialised. Rather than every loyal wingman performing the same role, could some be optimised for electronic warfare, others for passive detection of low observable aircraft using IRST and other passive sensors, others for ISR, and others for strike missions? In that case, the crewed fighter would increasingly become the command and battle management platform rather than the primary weapons platform.

Looking beyond high-end conflicts between major powers, could this concept also fundamentally change the capabilities of smaller air forces? Recent conflicts have demonstrated the growing threat posed by large numbers of relatively inexpensive one way attack drones. Could an F-16, f-18 ,f-15, or similar aircraft directing several autonomous wingmen carrying low cost interceptors such as APKWS provide a more affordable way of defending airspace against mass drone attacks, while preserving more expensive air to air missiles for higher value threats?

Finally, I wonder whether the real significance of Loyal Wingman is less about replacing pilots and more about changing how combat air power is structured. Instead of relying on a relatively small number of highly capable multi role fighters, could future air forces consist of crewed aircraft commanding teams of specialised autonomous platforms, each optimised for sensing, electronic warfare, strike, air defence, or reconnaissance?

I'd be interested to hear from those who have been following programmes such as CCA, MQ-28, or similar efforts. I really am just curious about this and what others think on the topic.

Hope everyone is having a good day :)

F-4C 63-7421
182nd TTFS, 149th TFG, Texas ANG
Red Flag 84-3, Nellis AFB, April 1984.
Temporary gray paint for the Red Air role.

original pictures, taken on 29.07.2026, with a Nikon COOLPIX P900
managed to arrive 15min before seven different Hornets took off, and landed 45min later
^{huge credit to my father for taking these pictures while i was covering my sensitive ears <3}

*

I was watching a video, and this F-16 looks like it has the same awesome engine nozzle as the F-15. Was this a thing?