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🇺🇸 BREAKING: The U.S. Air Force is testing AI-piloted drones alongside human pilots at Eglin Air Force Base — a “Top Gun AI” program. Fighter pilot Major Trent McMullen flies alongside the XQ-58 drone, controlled by artificial intelligence. AI drones can intercept enemy aircraft, process massive amounts of data,... show more

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Real Jets, Real Autonomy. In a groundbreaking series of tests this July, Shield AI, alongside partners Kratos and ParryLabs , demonstrated the future of air combat. High-performance, autonomously controlled MQM-178 Firejet drones flew alongside human-piloted jets in tightly confined airspace, collaboratively executing complex maneuvers with precision. 'When you have two unmanned jet aircraft flying alongside manned jets, trust in your AI wingman takes on a whole different meaning.” Read all about it TWZ:

Real Jets, Real Autonomy. In a groundbreaking series of tests this July, Shield AI, alongside partners Kratos and ParryLabs , demonstrated the future of air combat. High-performance, autonomously controlled MQM-178 Firejet drones flew alongside human-piloted jets in tightly confined airspace, collaboratively executing complex maneuvers with precision. 'When you have two unmanned jet aircraft flying alongside manned jets, trust in your AI wingman takes on a whole different meaning.” Read all about it TWZ:

Shield AI

139,797 views • 2 years ago

🚨 The first scenario for AI Fight Club™ is here: teams of 4 AI-piloted 4th gen aircraft battle in a virtual air-to-air combat scenario, launching Q4 2025. The mission? Defeat the enemy, minimize losses, enhance national security. Think you have what it takes? Click for more:

🚨 The first scenario for AI Fight Club™ is here: teams of 4 AI-piloted 4th gen aircraft battle in a virtual air-to-air combat scenario, launching Q4 2025. The mission? Defeat the enemy, minimize losses, enhance national security. Think you have what it takes? Click for more:

Lockheed Martin

33,552 views • 11 months ago

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 America’s B-21 and F-47 are moving faster than expected! The U.S. Air Force says its B-21 Raider stealth bomber and F-47 sixth generation fighter programs are ahead of schedule. The first operational B-21 is expected to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 2027, with the Air Force ultimately targeting a fleet of 100 aircraft. The F-47 is scheduled for its first flight in 2028, with plans to acquire 185 jets to replace the F-22 as America’s premier air superiority fighter. The F-47 is also expected to operate alongside Collaborative Combat Aircraft, giving it the ability to work with autonomous “loyal wingman” drones. With both programs accelerating, America is rapidly building a new generation of stealth bombers, sixth generation fighters and autonomous combat aircraft. The next era of U.S. airpower is arriving faster than expected.

JUST IN: 🇺🇸 America’s B-21 and F-47 are moving faster than expected! The U.S. Air Force says its B-21 Raider stealth bomber and F-47 sixth generation fighter programs are ahead of schedule. The first operational B-21 is expected to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 2027, with the Air Force ultimately targeting a fleet of 100 aircraft. The F-47 is scheduled for its first flight in 2028, with plans to acquire 185 jets to replace the F-22 as America’s premier air superiority fighter. The F-47 is also expected to operate alongside Collaborative Combat Aircraft, giving it the ability to work with autonomous “loyal wingman” drones. With both programs accelerating, America is rapidly building a new generation of stealth bombers, sixth generation fighters and autonomous combat aircraft. The next era of U.S. airpower is arriving faster than expected.

War Radar

31,885 views • 18 days ago

The Chinese are advancing on 6th-generation fighters, but I have serious doubts about whether this is truly the right path. Recently, the Turkish company Baykar flew two combat drones that operate in perfect synchronization, guided from a ground base. They executed coordinated maneuvers autonomously and are already capable of conducting BVR (Beyond Visual Range) engagements. The Kızılelma became the first drone to achieve an autonomous kill with an air-to-air missile guided by its own AESA radar. This level of Turkish progress, combined with the kill web integration that Chinese drones are demonstrating, isn’t it a strong indication that manned 6th-generation fighters might be an extraordinarily expensive fantasy? I’ll go further: some drones are already reaching speeds above Mach 3.5 - more than double those of the leading current manned fighters. I’m talking about drones capable of high-speed coordinated operations, fully autonomous, with integrated and shared weapon systems, flying at altitudes far higher than conventional fighters, and employing systems similar to Aegis. How much longer until these drones take off in large swarms, equipped with ultra-modern sensors controlled by AI and armed with long-range air-to-air missiles? How could a human pilot, even at the height of adrenaline, make faster and more accurate decisions, involving multiple scenarios and factors, than an AI commanding a pack of smaller, more agile drones operating at different altitudes? We are entering the real competition between man and machine. Even if a pilot in a 6th-generation fighter has control over slave drones and an entire Aegis-like kill web, what is the point of having him there if everything can be done autonomously, more safely, more cheaply, and in far greater numbers? Some argue that the human pilot offers advantages in unpredictable scenarios where today’s AI still fails, and I agree. But I’m not talking about current AI: I’m talking about the AI of 2030–2040, far more advanced than anything we know today. Geran drones equipped with air-to-air missiles prove that air combat drones can be extremely low-cost, while the Turkish tests show, in a far more sophisticated way, that drones designed for air-to-air missions are evolving much faster than 6th-generation aircraft, whose development and production costs are exorbitant. When we put together the Geran, the Kızılelma, and the drone kill web integration the Chinese are achieving, the question arises: is the future really manned 6th-generation fighters, or much cheaper drones produced in greater numbers, better protected, and more capable? Wouldn’t it be smarter to invest in well-equipped autonomous 6th-generation drones rather than treating them merely as wingmen? It seems that keeping a human pilot on board has more to do with ethical principles and preserving our role than with genuine operational necessity. And how would humanity react to the constant killing of human beings by AI-guided drones? Drones will be cheaper to develop, easier to produce, and possibly more agile than conventional fighters, even 6th-generation ones. In cost-benefit terms, the price of a single 6th-generation fighter could buy dozens of equivalent or even superior drones. This would save hundreds of billions of dollars and could put whoever adopts the strategy a step ahead. The Chinese, by the way, are very well positioned in this race, with HALE drones already armed with air-to-air missiles and integrated into an extensive kill web, which I will describe in detail soon.

The Chinese are advancing on 6th-generation fighters, but I have serious doubts about whether this is truly the right path. Recently, the Turkish company Baykar flew two combat drones that operate in perfect synchronization, guided from a ground base. They executed coordinated maneuvers autonomously and are already capable of conducting BVR (Beyond Visual Range) engagements. The Kızılelma became the first drone to achieve an autonomous kill with an air-to-air missile guided by its own AESA radar. This level of Turkish progress, combined with the kill web integration that Chinese drones are demonstrating, isn’t it a strong indication that manned 6th-generation fighters might be an extraordinarily expensive fantasy? I’ll go further: some drones are already reaching speeds above Mach 3.5 - more than double those of the leading current manned fighters. I’m talking about drones capable of high-speed coordinated operations, fully autonomous, with integrated and shared weapon systems, flying at altitudes far higher than conventional fighters, and employing systems similar to Aegis. How much longer until these drones take off in large swarms, equipped with ultra-modern sensors controlled by AI and armed with long-range air-to-air missiles? How could a human pilot, even at the height of adrenaline, make faster and more accurate decisions, involving multiple scenarios and factors, than an AI commanding a pack of smaller, more agile drones operating at different altitudes? We are entering the real competition between man and machine. Even if a pilot in a 6th-generation fighter has control over slave drones and an entire Aegis-like kill web, what is the point of having him there if everything can be done autonomously, more safely, more cheaply, and in far greater numbers? Some argue that the human pilot offers advantages in unpredictable scenarios where today’s AI still fails, and I agree. But I’m not talking about current AI: I’m talking about the AI of 2030–2040, far more advanced than anything we know today. Geran drones equipped with air-to-air missiles prove that air combat drones can be extremely low-cost, while the Turkish tests show, in a far more sophisticated way, that drones designed for air-to-air missions are evolving much faster than 6th-generation aircraft, whose development and production costs are exorbitant. When we put together the Geran, the Kızılelma, and the drone kill web integration the Chinese are achieving, the question arises: is the future really manned 6th-generation fighters, or much cheaper drones produced in greater numbers, better protected, and more capable? Wouldn’t it be smarter to invest in well-equipped autonomous 6th-generation drones rather than treating them merely as wingmen? It seems that keeping a human pilot on board has more to do with ethical principles and preserving our role than with genuine operational necessity. And how would humanity react to the constant killing of human beings by AI-guided drones? Drones will be cheaper to develop, easier to produce, and possibly more agile than conventional fighters, even 6th-generation ones. In cost-benefit terms, the price of a single 6th-generation fighter could buy dozens of equivalent or even superior drones. This would save hundreds of billions of dollars and could put whoever adopts the strategy a step ahead. The Chinese, by the way, are very well positioned in this race, with HALE drones already armed with air-to-air missiles and integrated into an extensive kill web, which I will describe in detail soon.

Patricia Marins

60,728 views • 7 months ago

Shield AI has unveiled the X-BAT, a fully autonomous jet-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically without a runway. The aircraft can fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and has a range of around 2,000 nautical miles. Powered by Hivemind AI software, X-BAT is designed to carry out complex missions, operate in swarms, and work alongside piloted aircraft.

Shield AI has unveiled the X-BAT, a fully autonomous jet-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically without a runway. The aircraft can fly at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet and has a range of around 2,000 nautical miles. Powered by Hivemind AI software, X-BAT is designed to carry out complex missions, operate in swarms, and work alongside piloted aircraft.

Space and Technology

365,634 views • 2 months ago

🚨🇺🇸🇮🇷 The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, home to Global Strike Command and nuclear-capable B-52 bombers, was overflown by multiple waves of unidentified drones for more than a week without interception. The identity of the operator, the intelligence gathered, and the failure of base security to respond all demand immediate public answers. SOURCE: Rerum Novarum // Intel, Breaking News, and Alerts, ABC

🚨🇺🇸🇮🇷 The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, home to Global Strike Command and nuclear-capable B-52 bombers, was overflown by multiple waves of unidentified drones for more than a week without interception. The identity of the operator, the intelligence gathered, and the failure of base security to respond all demand immediate public answers. SOURCE: Rerum Novarum // Intel, Breaking News, and Alerts, ABC

Mario Nawfal

320,569 views • 5 months ago

Baykar Chairman and CTO Selçuk Bayraktar compares AI-powered combat drones to the computer that defeated Garry Kasparov, arguing that the comparison between human pilots and autonomous aircraft is becoming obsolete. “There is no human in this aircraft. It can do everything a manned aircraft does — and more,” he says, emphasizing that autonomous systems are cheaper and eliminate the years of training and human risk associated with fighter pilots: “The human is truly the most expensive element.”

Baykar Chairman and CTO Selçuk Bayraktar compares AI-powered combat drones to the computer that defeated Garry Kasparov, arguing that the comparison between human pilots and autonomous aircraft is becoming obsolete. “There is no human in this aircraft. It can do everything a manned aircraft does — and more,” he says, emphasizing that autonomous systems are cheaper and eliminate the years of training and human risk associated with fighter pilots: “The human is truly the most expensive element.”

Clash Report

22,974 views • 1 month ago

State media of the Islamic regime of Iran has broadcast this footage, claiming that the Iranian Air Force is preparing for war. However, the reality is very different, this was recorded during the last gunnery exercise of the Iranian Air Force just a few months before 2025 war. Most of the fighter jets shown in this video, as well as many of the hardened aircraft shelters visible, have already been destroyed. For example, the Iranian Air Force no longer operates any F-4D Phantom IIs. The F-5E/F Tiger IIs featured in this footage were based at the 2nd Tactical Fighter Base in Tabriz, which was heavily targeted by the Israeli Air Force, and all of them were destroyed. Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force has only a handful of flyable fighter jets remaining, and they are used primarily for ceremonial purposes rather than sustained combat operations.

State media of the Islamic regime of Iran has broadcast this footage, claiming that the Iranian Air Force is preparing for war. However, the reality is very different, this was recorded during the last gunnery exercise of the Iranian Air Force just a few months before 2025 war. Most of the fighter jets shown in this video, as well as many of the hardened aircraft shelters visible, have already been destroyed. For example, the Iranian Air Force no longer operates any F-4D Phantom IIs. The F-5E/F Tiger IIs featured in this footage were based at the 2nd Tactical Fighter Base in Tabriz, which was heavily targeted by the Israeli Air Force, and all of them were destroyed. Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force has only a handful of flyable fighter jets remaining, and they are used primarily for ceremonial purposes rather than sustained combat operations.

Babak Taghvaee - The Crisis Watch

28,251 views • 26 days ago

Turkey’s Anka-3 is a stealth combat drone being developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries. The UCAV has been shown carrying two Super Lightning long-range cruise missiles, reportedly capable of striking targets up to around 700 km away. But its bigger significance could be how it operates alongside manned fighter jets. Anka-3 is being developed around the manned-unmanned teaming concept, where stealth drones could handle reconnaissance, electronic warfare and precision strike missions alongside human pilots. With a reported endurance of around 10 hours and a low-observable design, Anka-3 represents Turkey’s push toward a new kind of air combat network. The future fighter pilot may not fly alone—with a team of autonomous combat drones operating alongside the aircraft. #turkey #anka3 #drones #DroneStrike #StealthFighter

Turkey’s Anka-3 is a stealth combat drone being developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries. The UCAV has been shown carrying two Super Lightning long-range cruise missiles, reportedly capable of striking targets up to around 700 km away. But its bigger significance could be how it operates alongside manned fighter jets. Anka-3 is being developed around the manned-unmanned teaming concept, where stealth drones could handle reconnaissance, electronic warfare and precision strike missions alongside human pilots. With a reported endurance of around 10 hours and a low-observable design, Anka-3 represents Turkey’s push toward a new kind of air combat network. The future fighter pilot may not fly alone—with a team of autonomous combat drones operating alongside the aircraft. #turkey #anka3 #drones #DroneStrike #StealthFighter

Srijan Pal Singh

23,516 views • 11 days ago

Iran announces the capture of an American pilot The pilot managed to eject after the aircraft was hit by an air defense system. After that, the Americans began a rescue operation with the help of Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules aircraft. F-35 fighters and MQ-9 drones were also involved in the search operation. The Iranian military captured a US Air Force F-35 fighter pilot, according to the Tasnim news agency. Александр Коц

Iran announces the capture of an American pilot The pilot managed to eject after the aircraft was hit by an air defense system. After that, the Americans began a rescue operation with the help of Black Hawk helicopters and a C-130 Hercules aircraft. F-35 fighters and MQ-9 drones were also involved in the search operation. The Iranian military captured a US Air Force F-35 fighter pilot, according to the Tasnim news agency. Александр Коц

🇷🇺 STANISLAV KRAPIVNIK 🇷🇺

24,087 views • 4 months ago

PAF CONTINGENT ARRIVES IN KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA TO PARTICIPATE IN EXERCISE SPEARS OF VICTORY-2026 19 January, 2026: Pakistan Air Force contingent comprising F-16 Block-52 fighter aircraft, alongside dedicated air and ground crew, has arrived at King Abdulaziz Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to participate in the multinational aerial combat Exercise Spears of Victory-2026. The exercise is witnessing the participation of fighter jets and combat support elements from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Italy, Greece, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It offers a robust platform to enhance interoperability, operational synergy, mutual understanding and capacity building among participating Air Forces, particularly in large force employment, night composite air operations, integrated ISR, and operations in advanced electronic warfare environments. Through participation in this multinational forum, Pakistan Air Force seeks to enhance interoperability with partner Air Forces, and validate its operational preparedness in a contested, technology-driven battlespace. For this international deployment, PAF fighter aircraft undertook a non-stop flight from their home base in Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, demonstrating the long-range operational reach and expeditionary capabilities of Pakistan Air Force. During the conduct of the exercise, PAF pilots flying advanced F-16 Block-52 aircraft equipped with modern avionics and Beyond Visual Range capabilities will be pitched against aircrew of participating Air Forces operating a wide array of sophisticated combat aircraft. Participation of Pakistan Air Force contingent in Exercise Spears of Victory-2026 not only reflects PAF’s firm commitment to regional and international military cooperation, but also underscores its professional excellence and proven capability to operate effectively in diverse and demanding operational environments alongside leading contemporary Air Forces.

PAF CONTINGENT ARRIVES IN KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA TO PARTICIPATE IN EXERCISE SPEARS OF VICTORY-2026 19 January, 2026: Pakistan Air Force contingent comprising F-16 Block-52 fighter aircraft, alongside dedicated air and ground crew, has arrived at King Abdulaziz Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to participate in the multinational aerial combat Exercise Spears of Victory-2026. The exercise is witnessing the participation of fighter jets and combat support elements from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, France, Italy, Greece, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It offers a robust platform to enhance interoperability, operational synergy, mutual understanding and capacity building among participating Air Forces, particularly in large force employment, night composite air operations, integrated ISR, and operations in advanced electronic warfare environments. Through participation in this multinational forum, Pakistan Air Force seeks to enhance interoperability with partner Air Forces, and validate its operational preparedness in a contested, technology-driven battlespace. For this international deployment, PAF fighter aircraft undertook a non-stop flight from their home base in Pakistan to Saudi Arabia, demonstrating the long-range operational reach and expeditionary capabilities of Pakistan Air Force. During the conduct of the exercise, PAF pilots flying advanced F-16 Block-52 aircraft equipped with modern avionics and Beyond Visual Range capabilities will be pitched against aircrew of participating Air Forces operating a wide array of sophisticated combat aircraft. Participation of Pakistan Air Force contingent in Exercise Spears of Victory-2026 not only reflects PAF’s firm commitment to regional and international military cooperation, but also underscores its professional excellence and proven capability to operate effectively in diverse and demanding operational environments alongside leading contemporary Air Forces.

DGPR (AIR FORCE)

23,560 views • 7 months ago

🚨🇺🇸 🇮🇷 BREAKING: A tornado just hit a massive piece of the pipeline that trains U.S. fighter and bomber pilots... Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma took a direct hit from a major tornado. -SAR operations halted after severe structural damage triggered a gas leak at the base -Casualties reported in the surrounding area -Vance AFB is home to the 71st Flying Training Wing, the one of the starting points for the entire U.S. Air Force pilot pipeline -Last month the base ran "Exercise Scarlet Hawk 26-02," a readiness drill mirroring the Middle East war -Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Wilsbach visited last week to accelerate fighter and bomber pilot training The timing is brutal. The U.S. just secured a $750 billion procurement budget to replace munitions burned in Iran. New jets need new pilots. The factory that makes them just got hit by a tornado... Clip: ChaseWithHam

🚨🇺🇸 🇮🇷 BREAKING: A tornado just hit a massive piece of the pipeline that trains U.S. fighter and bomber pilots... Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma took a direct hit from a major tornado. -SAR operations halted after severe structural damage triggered a gas leak at the base -Casualties reported in the surrounding area -Vance AFB is home to the 71st Flying Training Wing, the one of the starting points for the entire U.S. Air Force pilot pipeline -Last month the base ran "Exercise Scarlet Hawk 26-02," a readiness drill mirroring the Middle East war -Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Wilsbach visited last week to accelerate fighter and bomber pilot training The timing is brutal. The U.S. just secured a $750 billion procurement budget to replace munitions burned in Iran. New jets need new pilots. The factory that makes them just got hit by a tornado... Clip: ChaseWithHam

Mario Nawfal

648,336 views • 4 months ago

The brand new generation of F-47 fighter jet is going to be absolutely insane in combat. One pilot + his own drone swarm (8+ loyal wingmen) Stealth++ is invisible on radar AND infrared from every angle 1,000+ nm combat radius at Mach 2+ AI sensor fusion so advanced that the pilot sees & decides faster than any enemy ever could 👀 First flight in 2028. This video is a representation of what is to come! Air combat will never be the same again.

Matt Wallace

343,219 views • 6 months ago

🇺🇸🇮🇶 U.S. AIR FORCE TANKER SPOTTED FLYING OVER THE PERSIAN GULF A U.S. Air Force KC 135 Stratotanker was spotted flying out of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and moving through Persian Gulf and Iraqi airspace, according to public flight tracking data. A KC 135 is a refueling aircraft used to keep fighter jets and bombers in the air longer, not a combat plane itself. The flight quickly and began watching its route closely. On its own, a tanker flight is not unusual. These missions happen regularly. What caught attention is the timing. Source: Visioner

🇺🇸🇮🇶 U.S. AIR FORCE TANKER SPOTTED FLYING OVER THE PERSIAN GULF A U.S. Air Force KC 135 Stratotanker was spotted flying out of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and moving through Persian Gulf and Iraqi airspace, according to public flight tracking data. A KC 135 is a refueling aircraft used to keep fighter jets and bombers in the air longer, not a combat plane itself. The flight quickly and began watching its route closely. On its own, a tanker flight is not unusual. These missions happen regularly. What caught attention is the timing. Source: Visioner

Mario Nawfal

136,634 views • 7 months ago

First Drone vs. Manned Fighter Combat? On December 8, 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the loss of a Su-27 fighter jet piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Yevhenii Ivanov, who was killed during a combat mission in the eastern direction. Yesterday, December 17, one Mi-24 was downed in same circumstances. Russian sources allege the aircraft was shot down, but Ukrainian statements describe the circumstances as under investigation, with no official confirmation of the cause. There are unverified Russian claims linking it to a modified Geran-2 drone equipped with an R-60 missile. Ukrainian intelligence has confirmed the existence of Geran-2 variants armed with R-60 air-to-air missiles, designed primarily to counter aircraft or helicopters approaching to intercept drone swarms. If independently verified, such an engagement could represent a significant milestone in drone-vs-manned aircraft combat. This development aligns with broader trends i mentioned in my previous article on Chinese high-altitude drones conducting air-to-air target acquisition from positions well above potential threats. Elon Musk has indeed argued that the future of warfare lies with unmanned aircraft, stating that manned fighter jets are becoming obsolete in the drone era and predicting a shift toward autonomous or remotely controlled systems. But i believe that it’s something to the next two decades. Sixth-generation aircraft concepts often emphasize manned platforms controlling swarms of drones (loyal wingmen), but the question pushes further: How will manned fighters compete against high-altitude unmanned systems operating 10–15 km above their service ceiling and potentially launching air-air hypersonic missiles? In January I will post an article on China's development of layered high-altitude drone systems for ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance), one optimized for aerial threats and another for naval targets. Recent Chinese programs, like high-altitude stealth drones, recharge stations and mothership concepts capable of deploying swarms, suggest active progress in this direction.

First Drone vs. Manned Fighter Combat? On December 8, 2025, the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed the loss of a Su-27 fighter jet piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Yevhenii Ivanov, who was killed during a combat mission in the eastern direction. Yesterday, December 17, one Mi-24 was downed in same circumstances. Russian sources allege the aircraft was shot down, but Ukrainian statements describe the circumstances as under investigation, with no official confirmation of the cause. There are unverified Russian claims linking it to a modified Geran-2 drone equipped with an R-60 missile. Ukrainian intelligence has confirmed the existence of Geran-2 variants armed with R-60 air-to-air missiles, designed primarily to counter aircraft or helicopters approaching to intercept drone swarms. If independently verified, such an engagement could represent a significant milestone in drone-vs-manned aircraft combat. This development aligns with broader trends i mentioned in my previous article on Chinese high-altitude drones conducting air-to-air target acquisition from positions well above potential threats. Elon Musk has indeed argued that the future of warfare lies with unmanned aircraft, stating that manned fighter jets are becoming obsolete in the drone era and predicting a shift toward autonomous or remotely controlled systems. But i believe that it’s something to the next two decades. Sixth-generation aircraft concepts often emphasize manned platforms controlling swarms of drones (loyal wingmen), but the question pushes further: How will manned fighters compete against high-altitude unmanned systems operating 10–15 km above their service ceiling and potentially launching air-air hypersonic missiles? In January I will post an article on China's development of layered high-altitude drone systems for ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance), one optimized for aerial threats and another for naval targets. Recent Chinese programs, like high-altitude stealth drones, recharge stations and mothership concepts capable of deploying swarms, suggest active progress in this direction.

Patricia Marins

49,124 views • 8 months ago

Of all the places, you chose to take your protest to a Nigerian Air Force Base, throwing buzzwords about budgets. Are these guys aware the air force is by far the most expensive arm of the military to run yet receives less funding than the army and navy? A fighter jet cost millions per flight hour to operate, not counting the cost of fueling and maintaining highly complex aircraft and avionics. The cost or a single precision guided munition used by these aircaft ranges from $50,000 to over $150,000. Nigerian Air Force's entire budget, when converted to USD is not enough to procure 12 modern fighter jets. Despite its limited resources, the Nigerian Air Force has been critical in Nigeria's fight against terrorism.

Of all the places, you chose to take your protest to a Nigerian Air Force Base, throwing buzzwords about budgets. Are these guys aware the air force is by far the most expensive arm of the military to run yet receives less funding than the army and navy? A fighter jet cost millions per flight hour to operate, not counting the cost of fueling and maintaining highly complex aircraft and avionics. The cost or a single precision guided munition used by these aircaft ranges from $50,000 to over $150,000. Nigerian Air Force's entire budget, when converted to USD is not enough to procure 12 modern fighter jets. Despite its limited resources, the Nigerian Air Force has been critical in Nigeria's fight against terrorism.

Defense News Nigeria

166,019 views • 2 months ago

Elon Musk: The age of human-piloted fighter aircraft is coming to an end. “I'm not sure there's a lot of opportunity for fighter pilots because I think if you've got a drone swarm coming at you, the pilot's a liability in the fighter plane, to be honest. If you compare a drone versus a fighter plane, how easy is it to make a drone? It's an order of magnitude, maybe, maybe 100 times easier to make the drone. And you can afford to sacrifice the drones, whereas you don't want to sacrifice the pilots. So my guess is that actually the age of human-piloted fighter aircraft is coming to an end.” Interview at West Point Military Academy, August 16, 2024

Elon Musk: The age of human-piloted fighter aircraft is coming to an end. “I'm not sure there's a lot of opportunity for fighter pilots because I think if you've got a drone swarm coming at you, the pilot's a liability in the fighter plane, to be honest. If you compare a drone versus a fighter plane, how easy is it to make a drone? It's an order of magnitude, maybe, maybe 100 times easier to make the drone. And you can afford to sacrifice the drones, whereas you don't want to sacrifice the pilots. So my guess is that actually the age of human-piloted fighter aircraft is coming to an end.” Interview at West Point Military Academy, August 16, 2024

ELON CLIPS

15,916 views • 3 months ago