Lockheed Martin announced on August 4, 2026, that an artificial intelligence agent flew a heavily modified F-16 into 27 intercepts against a live target using operational sensor data.
The eight-sortie campaign was conducted at Edwards Air Force Base in California by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, the US Air Force Test Pilot School, and industry partners.
The X-62 Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft (VISTA) carried a Lockheed Martin Legion Pod that tracked a T-38 target plane. The pod passed data to an onboard AI agent, which maneuvered the jet into a tactical intercept position.
Lockheed Martin said its Supermassive capability allowed full integration and ground testing of the agents with the X-62 within three months. The X-62 is a modified F-16D Block 30 with Block 40 avionics operated by the US Air Force Test Pilot School.
