USAF Integrates XQ-58A Valkyrie with F-16 and F-15 in Autonomous Drone Control Test

In a recent demonstration at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, the U.S. Air Force advanced its exploration of human-machine teaming by conducting a test in which pilots of an F-16C Fighting Falcon and an F-15E Strike Eagle each controlled two XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aircraft. This event marked a significant milestone in the integration of autonomous collaborative platforms (ACPs) into air combat operations, reflecting a broader shift in military aviation strategy toward semi-autonomous systems that can operate alongside crewed aircraft.

XQ-58A and F-16. U.S. Air Force

The XQ-58A Valkyrie, developed by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is a runway-independent, high-speed, long-range unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). It is part of the Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) initiative, which aims to produce affordable, reusable platforms that can be deployed in high-risk environments. The Valkyrie’s design includes a stealth-optimized fuselage, V-tail, and internal payload bay, and it is capable of supporting a range of missions including strike, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and communications relay.

The test was conducted under the auspices of the Department of Defense’s Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve program and involved collaboration among multiple entities, including the AFRL, Air Force Test Center, Air Combat Command, and the U.S. Navy. The primary objective was to evaluate the operational feasibility of ACPs in a live air combat training scenario, with a focus on reducing pilot workload, enhancing situational awareness, and improving mission effectiveness.

According to official statements, the test demonstrated real-time integration between manned and semi-autonomous systems. The drones responded to commands and maneuvered in coordination with the crewed aircraft, showcasing the potential for these platforms to act as force multipliers. The data collected from this exercise is expected to inform future development and deployment of semi-autonomous capabilities across the Department of Defense.

The broader context of this test lies in the U.S. Air Force’s ongoing efforts to modernize its force structure in response to increasingly contested and complex operational environments. ACPs are seen as a means to deliver scalable, flexible, and cost-effective capabilities that can augment traditional airpower. By enabling a single pilot to control multiple unmanned systems, the Air Force aims to increase combat reach and survivability without proportionally increasing risk to human operators.

The XQ-58A has previously demonstrated its versatility, including a 2021 test in which it released an ALTIUS-600 small unmanned aerial system from its internal bay. A Block 2 variant with enhanced structural and operational capabilities began flight testing in 2022. These developments are part of a broader initiative that includes the Skyborg and Autonomous Attritable Aircraft Experimentation programs, which seek to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence and autonomy into air combat operations.

Ethical considerations remain a key component of the development and deployment of ACPs. The Air Force has emphasized its commitment to building AI technologies that are responsible, traceable, and governable. The ability to retain strategic and ethical oversight while operating in high-risk environments is considered essential to the successful adoption of these systems.

This test also aligns with the goals of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which envisions a future in which manned and unmanned systems operate in concert to achieve mission objectives. Lessons learned from the ACP initiative are expected to contribute directly to the refinement and implementation of CCA concepts.

The recent test involving F-16C and F-15E aircraft controlling multiple XQ-58A Valkyrie drones represents a tangible step toward operationalizing human-machine teaming in air combat. It reflects a strategic emphasis on adaptability, technological integration, and risk mitigation, and it underscores the evolving nature of modern warfare where autonomy and collaboration are increasingly central to mission success.