AI based unmanned military drones is the future of US defense system

Over the years technology has transformed the way the world functions. From automating industries to enhancing military weapon system; science has entered all spaces and transformed them with futuristic technology. Similarly, the introduction of artificial intelligence in warzone is expected to be the turning point for United States Air Force. Drones are the latest addition to weapon systems whose potential is yet to be fully explored and exercised. If so, could Air Force Research Lab’s XQ-58A Valkyrie be the turning point for US military?



The Air Force Research Laboratory LCAAT or Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology portfolio was designed to reduce the escalating cost curve experienced in introducing tactically useful aircrafts to the forces. The Air Force Research Lab joined hands with Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems, in order to bring into being the XQ-58A Valkyrie drone. The joint effort falls under the Air Force Research Lab LCAAT portfolio, which was designed to control problems like increasing cost of building, developing, and operating military grade aircrafts by implementing commercial techniques.



How Can Valkyrie be the Game Changer?



The weapon payload capability of a XQ-58A Valkyrie is of minimum two small-diameter bombs and a flight range of more than 2,000 miles. The Department of Defense (DoD) on the other hand is planning to link this unmanned and experimental combat aerial vehicle to F-35s and the latest F-15EXs using encrypted data links. The unmanned aircraft system will then act as support drones to the fighter jets – a strategy dubbed as the Skyborg program. When connected with artificial intelligence, these data links will permit pilots of the manned aircrafts to have control over their drone wingmen and relay sensor information through them.



These latest long-range UAS built at a reduced cost, under the joint efforts of the LCAAT lab are independent of a runway. The Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems has remained under development for 2 and a half years before being tested only last year. The making of the XQ-58A high-subsonic military drones is done such that it can serve as an escort weapon system for the F-22s and F-35s and operate independently as well as amongst a swarm of UAVs.



The United States has managed to have the strongest military for decades. Military strength of a nation is calculated based on the people serving in it and equipment used at war by them. In all these years the US military has focused largely on an anti-terrorism strategy and yet remained on the top. However, this strategy in some ways has restricted the US defense forces to a confined radius, making it vulnerable to being violated by rival nations. With Russia and China having the second best and third best military forces across globe, the threat has only gained ground over the years. Even as 2020 began, United States is seen as maintaining a top rank amongst some of the most powerful nations such as, Russia, China, India, etc. With military drones such as the latest on the bloc XQ-58A, combined with artificial intelligence, US military could be aiming at a redefined war strategy.