VENOM-AFT Aims to Equip Falcons with Uncrewed Flight Capabilities

The 96th Test Wing and 53rd Wing brought in the first of a trio of well-worn F-16 Fighting Falcons that will be used in the Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operations Model – Autonomy Flying Testbed (VENOM-AFT, in the always flashy USAF tradition).

VENOM-AFT aims to develop and accelerate the use of autonomy software on both crewed and uncrewed aircraft, and will draw on existing work being done at Eglin AFB under the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program and similar projects. The F-16s will be modified to a more limited extent than "uncrewed" perhaps implies, since humans will remain behind the stick to babysit the experimental jets throughout the program. The pilots will be used to "monitor the autonomy and ensure that flight and test objectives are met", putting to rest any fanciful ideas of a Falcon flying around with a server rack in the ejection seat.

“It’s important to understand the ‘human-on-the-loop’ aspect of this type of testing, meaning that a pilot will be involved in the autonomy in real time and maintain the ability to start and stop specific algorithms,” said Lieutenant Colonel Joe Gagnon, 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron commander. “There will never be a time where the VENOM aircraft will solely ‘fly by itself’ without a human component.” 

“The VENOM program marks a pivotal chapter in the advancement of aerial combat capabilities. This transformative program holds the potential to redefine air combat paradigms by fostering novel autonomous functions for current and future crewed and uncrewed platforms,” said Maj. Ross Elder, VENOM developmental test lead. “We look forward to the culmination of years of engineering and collaboration, as VENOM leads a measured step towards a new age of aviation.” 

FMI: www.af.mil