US Air Force Launches the Maiden Flight of XQ-67A Demonstrator Drone

The US Air Force recently shared footage of the inaugural flight of its XQ-67A demonstrator drone. The video showcases the autonomous aircraft navigating the skies above Gray Butte Field Airport in Palmdale, California.

This event marks a pivotal moment for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as it demonstrates the capabilities of a new generation of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP).

US Air Force Showcases the First Flight of the XQ-67A

The XQ-67A is a product of the AFRL's Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) program. The program validates a design, build, and test process that culminated in the creation of the XQ-67A. This drone is the first to be constructed on a common chassis, much like a motor vehicle frame, proving that this modular approach is feasible, according to the AFRL.

This design philosophy allows for quicker and more cost-effective replication of the aircraft, addressing the demands of great power competition by rapidly delivering advanced capabilities to the warfighter.

The XQ-67A builds upon the achievements of the XQ-58A Valkyrie and complements other Air Force Test Center projects such as the X-62 VISTA and F-16 VENOM. These projects aim to expedite the deployment of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Additionally, the XQ-67A was designed, constructed, ground-tested, and flown within just over two years.

This drone is capable of both remote piloting and autonomous flight. Under the AFRL's Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Platform Sharing (LCAAPS) program, the Aerospace Systems Directorate explored a chassis or "genus" as the core architecture from which various "species" of aircraft can be derived.

This product line approach allows for faster development, reduced costs, and more frequent technological updates, offering an alternative acquisition strategy for autonomous collaborative platforms.

Air Force, Space Force Launches Generative AI Tool

In related news, the Air Force collaboratee with Space Force to introduce a generative AI tool similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT. It was designed to enhance information access within the Department of the Air Force (DAF). This new tool is named the non-classified Internet Protocol Generative Pre-Training Transformer (NIPRGPT).

DAF Chief Information Officer Venice Goodwine highlighted that NIPRGPT would assist Airmen and Guardians in developing skills and flexibility. This initiative is part of various modernization programs within the DAF and the broader federal government.

The Air Force intends to collaborate with commercial partners to evaluate the demand for generative AI within the DAF before selecting a provider or technique for NIPRGPT. Alexis Bonnell, AFRL Chief Information Officer, expressed optimism that this initiative would inspire user interest and experimentation, allowing the evaluation of models from different vendors.

NIPRGPT originates from the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate's Dark Saber program. Personnel from the Air Force and Space Force are developing next-generation, deployable software and capabilities under the Dark Saber initiative.

Read more about this new generative AI tool here.