Aviation News – July 9, 2025 – In a major step forward for future air combat capabilities, the United States Air Force (USAF) has demonstrated the ability of its current fighter aircraft to command multiple uncrewed combat drones during flight.
As part of recent trials conducted in Florida, USAF pilots flying a Boeing F-15E and a Lockheed Martin F-16C each took control of two XQ-58A Valkyrie drones. The successful test saw a total of four XQ-58As—developed by Kratos Defense—operating under the direction of manned fighters.
According to the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the exercise highlighted the seamless, real-time collaboration between human pilots and semi-autonomous aircraft. These drones, categorized as Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs), represent a key element in the USAF’s vision of integrating manned and unmanned systems in future air operations.
While the Air Force did not disclose full details of the flight paths or mission profiles, this is not the first time an XQ-58A has flown in formation with crewed aircraft. Past tests have involved the Valkyrie flying alongside the F-16 and the US Marine Corps’ F-35B.
The recent exercise marks a significant milestone, demonstrating that multiple ACPs can be effectively operated in coordination with legacy fighter platforms. This capability forms a cornerstone of the USAF’s broader modernization strategy aimed at increasing combat effectiveness and operational flexibility through the use of collaborative combat aircraft.
Photo US Marines
