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4w ago

DARPA and Air Force Fly VENOM‑Modified F-16s with AI in Control

Piloted flights will feed live testing to judge combat AI performance for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.

The first F-16 modified with the VENOM Autonomy Kit heads out for the maiden flight. (Image credit: U.S. Air Force | Samuel King Jr., 96th Test Wing)
Image
Pictured is a U.S. Air Force photo of an F-16 modified with the Viper Experimentation and Next-generation Operations Model (VENOM) autonomy kit during human-on-the-loop in-air testing of AI models by the 96th Test Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla.

Overview

  • The VENOM program has moved from ground checks to in-air tests in July 2026 where an AI agent controlled an F-16 while a pilot remained onboard to monitor and intervene.
  • Engineers installed the VENOM Autonomy Kit, which links AI agents to the F-16’s flight and mission systems and adds hardware such as an auto-throttle plus a pilot toggle between human and AI control.
  • Six F-16C jets have been instrumented at Eglin Air Force Base and will undergo simultaneous developmental and operational testing managed by USAF test units with DARPA support.
  • Program leaders say pilots will always stay in the cockpit with real-time ability to start or stop autonomy algorithms to preserve aircraft limits and flight safety.
  • VENOM tests will evaluate multiple AI agents in realistic scenarios to measure reliability and performance and to provide lessons for wider ACE/AIR efforts and the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.