The F-35 Will Soon Have Drone Wingmen

The Air Force is assessing whether it can use the Skyborg artificial intelligence technology it is creating to allow an F-35 or F-15EX pilot to control drones like the XQ-58 Valkyrie. (Jeff Martin/Staff)

Defense News: Under Skyborg program, F-35 and F-15EX jets could control drone sidekicks

WASHINGTON — The F-35 and F-15EX fighter jets could get drone wingmen in the coming years, the U.S. Air Force’s top acquisition official revealed to Defense News.

The service is exploring ways to team Lockheed Martin’s F-35 and Boeing’s new F-15EX with the XQ-58 Valkyrie drone — a low-cost attritable fighter made by Kratos Defense — or similar unmanned platforms. Attritable means that an asset is reusable, but inexpensive enough that the service can afford to lose it in battle.

The Air Force is in discussions with Boeing and Lockheed on the prospect, and the Air Force Research Laboratory is working on the technology, Will Roper said May 21 in an exclusive interview.

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More News On The F-35

‘Skyborg’ could let F-35 and F-15 fighter jets control their own companion drones -- The Verge

Poland plans to buy 32 F-35A fighters: minister -- Reuters

Japan to buy 105 F-35 U.S. stealth warplanes: Trump -- Japan Today

Missing Japanese F-35 Finally Found on Seabed During Trump's Official Visit -- Sputnik
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Senate defense bill would pull Turkey from F-35 partnership if it buys Russian missile system -- The Hill

The Navy's first F-35 squadron just deactivated after 7 years of service -- Jim Thompson, Task & Purpose/Northwest Florida Daily News
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Boeing Had Big Plans to Build Its Very Own F-35 (And Flopped) -- National Interest