Lockheed Martin has flight tested an artificial intelligence-enhanced combat identification capability integrated into the F-35’s information fusion system, according to the company.
The demonstration, known as Project Overwatch, marked what Lockheed Martin described as the first time a tactical AI model has been used in flight to generate an independent combat identification assessment on the pilot’s display, according to the company.
The test flight took place at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, where an AI and machine learning model developed by Lockheed Martin analysed electronic emitters to resolve identification ambiguities. The company said the system improved situational awareness and reduced the time required for pilots to make decisions in complex environments.
Engineers were also able to retrain the model during the same mission planning cycle by labelling new emitters, updating the AI system and loading the revised model ahead of the next sortie. Lockheed Martin said this process allowed the system to learn new emitter classes within minutes.
“This is a demonstration of 6th Gen technology brought to a 5th Gen platform,” said Jake Wertz, vice president of F-35 Combat Systems at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “Equally important is our ability to re-program the AI model on the ground and have those updates available for the next sortie—an essential step toward maintaining a tactical edge in a rapidly evolving threat environment.”
The company said embedding AI into the aircraft’s mission systems is intended to help pilots understand threats more quickly by analysing large volumes of sensor data and presenting clearer identification information during operations. Lockheed Martin said the results of the test flight will inform further development and possible integration of the capability in the future, according to the company.
