Lockheed Martin's open systems architecture is
advancing the future of AI-enabled autonomous flight with human
oversight
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE,
Calif., May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed
Martin Skunk Works® (NYSE: LMT) joined the U.S. Air
Force Test Pilot School and other government and industry partners
in hosting U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to fly in the X-62A Variable
In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft (VISTA), a one-of-a-kind
aircraft modified to test artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy
capabilities.
VISTA is an AI pathfinder that facilitates development and
testing of cutting-edge AI techniques with new uncrewed vehicle
designs. This work is essential to realizing distributed teaming.
In less than a year, the teams installed initial live AI agents
into the X-62A's systems, demonstrated the first AI versus human
dogfight and completed over 100,000 lines of flight-critical
software changes across 21 test flights.
"The need for innovation at speed and scale is greater than
ever. The X-62A VISTA is a crucial platform in our efforts to
develop, test and integrate AI, as well as to establish AI
certification standards that will revolutionize the future of
aerospace," said John Clark, vice
president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. "Our
proven hardware and software architecture enable safe and
controlled environments for AI agents and advanced algorithms to
rapidly prototype and develop."
Lockheed Martin's open systems architecture, which leverages
Skunk Works' Model Following Algorithm (MFA) and System for
Autonomous Control of the Simulation (SACS), enables highly complex
tests. These important updates enhance VISTA's capabilities while
maintaining its rapid-prototyping advantage, allowing for quick
changes to software and the ability to conduct flight tests with
great frequency, accelerating the pace of AI and autonomy
development to meet urgent national defense priorities.
This architecture has proven to be reliable and robust enough to
transition into third-party distributed hardware to replicate safe
and controlled flight test objectives as demonstrated by VISTA.
Lockheed Martin is at the forefront of fusing AI-enabled platform
autonomy with human oversight to accelerate operational speed,
maximize agility and cut sustainment costs.
The achievements of and technologies developed through the
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Air Combat
Evolution (ACE) program will serve as a foundation for future
advances in safer, more reliable, and more efficient aviation –
both for military and commercial domains.
Secretary Kendall's flight closely follows several major VISTA
recognitions for work done as part of DARPA's ACE program,
including being nominated as finalists for the 2023 Robert J.
Collier Trophy and receiving the Society of Flight Test Engineers'
James S. McDonnell Award and
Aviation Week's 2024 Laureate Award for Defense.
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global
defense technology company driving innovation and advancing
scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st
Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of
transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay
ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
