The Pentagon has for the first time used an artificial-intelligence “air battle manager” to guide U.S. fighter pilots during a live exercise, a step that could reshape aerial combat and command-and-control. Raft AI’s Starsage system, tested on F-16s, F/A-18s and F-35s, fused simulated sensor data with the day’s Air Tasking Order to deliver real-time threat calls and mission updates, cutting pilot decision times from minutes to seconds, the company said. In a notable first, the AI issued a “picture call” identifying a formation of five adversary aircraft, providing on-demand situational awareness to each pilot. While the trial underscores the Pentagon’s push to accelerate battlefield decision-making amid intensifying competition with China, Raft’s CEO said humans should remain in the loop for life-or-death choices. The company also argues similar AI tools could enhance civilian air-safety workflows, though broader adoption will hinge on cybersecurity, oversight and integration with existing systems.
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