X-62 VISTA Aircraft New Radar: The US Air Force is giving its special X-62 VISTA aircraft a big upgrade to help test smarter artificial intelligence systems. The aircraft is now getting new radar and mission tools so it can handle harder and more realistic test missions. Edwards Air Force Base in California shared this update on Thursday.
The X-62 VISTA is a heavily changed F-16D fighter jet. Engineers rebuilt it with modern flight systems so it can test new ideas in flying. Over the last few years the Air Force has used it to study how planes can fly on their own without human control.
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New Radar and Sensors
The US Air Force Test Pilot School which works under the 412th Test Wing at Edwards, is leading the upgrade work. The new systems will let the aircraft use advanced radar and sensors. These changes will allow the jet to fly in tougher situations and help AI systems learn how to work together and make fast choices.
“As the Air Force expands its exploration of integrating autonomy into air and space operations, the X-62 is the bridge between the historical human-centered approach and tomorrow’s integration of uncrewed combat aviation,” Air Force Test Pilot School Commandant Col.
According to Defence news, Maryann Karlen said “The mission systems upgrade enables X-62 to continue the journey in developing breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and autonomy.”
The Pentagon’s Test Resource Management Center paid for this upgrade, showing strong support for future AI research.
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X-62 VISTA Aircraft New Radar: PhantomStrike Radar
One of the biggest changes is the addition of Raytheon’s PhantomStrike radar. Raytheon, part of RTX, explained that PhantomStrike is an air-cooled radar that is smaller and lighter than many modern systems. The company said it needs less power and costs much less while still offering strong performance.
Raytheon added that PhantomStrike can work on drones, light attack aircraft, helicopters, and other platforms. The company said it offers “superior radar capability at nearly half the cost of typical fire control radars.”
The X-62 already supports other Air Force AI programs like VENOM. In September 2023 the Air Force and DARPA used the aircraft in the first-ever air combat test where a human pilot fought against an AI-controlled jet. In April 2024 officials said the data from that test would help develop drone wingmen that fly beside crewed fighters.
