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from https://www.foxnews.com/tech/us-air-forces-xq-67a-drone-thinks-flies-acts-its-own

US Air Force’s XQ-67A drone thinks, flies, acts on its own
Air Force's new autonomous aerial warfare machines
By Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report Fox News
Published July 24, 2024 6:00am EDT

US Air Force’s XQ-67A drone ushers in new area of aerial warfare
Have you ever wondered what the future of warfare might look like? Well,
it's starting to take shape right above our heads.

The U.S. Air Force has just unveiled a new aircraft that's turning heads
and raising eyebrows across the globe.

But don't expect to see a pilot in the cockpit. This high-tech
innovation flies itself.

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air force drone 1
U.S. Air Force’s XQ-67A drone (AFRL)

XQ-67A: The new kid on the block
On a sunny California day in February 2024, something extraordinary took flight. The XQ-67A, a sleek unmanned aircraft, soared into the sky for
the first time, giving us a glimpse into the future of aerial combat and reconnaissance.

The XQ-67A is what's known as a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle. This
aircraft is packed with cutting-edge technology that allows it to fly
without a human pilot on board. Instead, it can be controlled remotely
or even fly on its own, making decisions based on its programming and
the data it collects.

air force drone 2
U.S. Air Force’s XQ-67A drone (AFRL)

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There's more than meets the eye with the XQ-67A
So, what makes the XQ-67A stand out in a world where drones are becoming increasingly common? For starters, it's part of a program called the
off-board sensing station. This fancy name essentially means it's
designed to be the eyes and ears of the Air Force, gathering crucial information in situations that might be too dangerous for human pilots.

But here's where it gets really interesting: The XQ-67A is built on what engineers call a "common chassis." Think of it like a car frame that can
be used to build different types of vehicles. This approach allows the
Air Force to create various types of drones quickly and
cost-effectively. All of these are based on the same core design.

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air force drone 3
U.S. Air Force’s XQ-67A drone (AFRL)

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It's a family affair when it comes to the Air Force's drones
The XQ-67A isn't alone in this new era of aviation. It's actually based
on an earlier drone called the XQ-58A Valkyrie. And there's more on the horizon. The Air Force is also developing something called the off-board
weapon station, which could be thought of as the XQ-67A's more
combat-oriented cousin.

This family of drones represents a shift in military thinking. Instead
of relying solely on expensive, manned aircraft, the Air Force is moving towards a mix of crewed and uncrewed vehicles working together. It's a
concept they call "Loyal Wingman," where these autonomous drones support
and protect human pilots in the air.

air force drone 4
U.S. Air Force’s XQ-67A drone (AFRL)

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How the XQ-67A is changing the game
The implications of this technology are huge. With drones like the
XQ-67A, the Air Force can gather intelligence, conduct surveillance and potentially even engage in combat without putting pilots directly in
harm's way. It's not just about reducing risk to human life; it's about expanding capabilities.

These drones can fly longer missions without the limitations of human endurance. They can be sent into dangerous or contaminated areas without hesitation. And perhaps most importantly, they can make split-second
decisions based on data and algorithms, potentially reacting faster than
a human pilot could.

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air force drone 5
U.S. Air Force’s XQ-67A drone (AFRL)

Looking to the future of autonomous military aircraft
As exciting as the XQ-67A is, it's just the beginning. The technology
behind these autonomous aircraft is advancing rapidly, and it's not hard
to imagine a future where swarms of artificial intelligence-controlled
drones work in perfect coordination with human pilots.

But this future also raises important questions. How will the role of
human pilots evolve? What are the ethical implications of having
machines make life-and-death decisions in combat? And how might this
technology change the nature of warfare itself?

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

air force drone 6
U.S. Air Force’s XQ-67A drone (AFRL)

Kurt's key takeaways
The XQ-67A represents a pivotal moment in military aviation. The skies
of tomorrow will be filled with aircraft that think, decide and act on
their own, working alongside human pilots to accomplish missions we can
only imagine today. Whether this prospect fills you with excitement or
concern, one thing is certain: The future of aerial warfare is here, and
it's autonomous.

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What are your thoughts on this new technology? Does the idea of
autonomous military aircraft intrigue you, or does it give you pause?
Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a
deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter,
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Conversation1.7K Comments
Discussions are moderated. For more details, click here.


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Best
dearprudence2019
2 days ago

Last week a security update was released that brought down half the
computers on the Earth. There are infinite variables that no amount of programming can account for. One thing I've learned in 35 years of
software is Murphy's Law is a law.


Reply

211

8

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foobar12345678
2 days ago

In my 47 years, I've learnt Murphy was an optomist.

That, and no "that's easy it'll take only 5 minute" job ever takes just
5 minutes.


Reply

68


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7 replies
thePandemicbrotherhood
2 days ago

Not mine. Then again, the PB understands the simple but aggravating
precautions necessary to protect a networked computer. All hacks require
an exploit, and the number 1 exploit is laziness.


Reply

19


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5 replies

Show 41 more replies
JoslynFunbags
2 days ago

Kurt missed one more pivotal point - an unmanned aircraft can perform
maneuvers and withstand G forces that a human could never endure. If I
were a pilot I'd like one of those as my wingman.


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89

2

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sender9999
2 days ago

Yup. And they are likely much cheaper. And China won't worry about
collateral damage from an AI's decision and will eventually build enough
to fill the heavens. We better get used to this being the predominant
air support aircraft in our arsenal.


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22

2

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3 replies
tonyab1984
1 day ago

The PROBLEM is WE won’t be the only ones flying & operating them.
Whatever “highly classified” technology is incorporated in them is: a)
At least 50% ALREADY in chinese grubby hands, and b) Only a matter of a
fiscal quarter or two until they have the rest. So THEN the question
becomes WHO can bui...

See more

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11

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4 replies

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Bud369
2 days ago

Too late. All the Chinese graduate engineering/computer science students
on F-1 visas enrolled in schools with Air Force and government defense research contracts have already sent this latest technology back to
China. China will have a prototype within six months.

Reply

71

1

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XpatDave
1 day ago

The Chinese are in every major universities in the West. CCP paying full
price for their education and all the information they can gather.


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20

1

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2 replies

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