{"id":43638,"date":"2021-05-05T20:11:47","date_gmt":"2021-05-05T20:11:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2021\/05\/05\/the-air-forces-first-skyborg-autonomous-drone-prototype-made-its-first-flight\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:41:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:41:23","slug":"the-air-forces-first-skyborg-autonomous-drone-prototype-made-its-first-flight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2021\/05\/05\/the-air-forces-first-skyborg-autonomous-drone-prototype-made-its-first-flight\/","title":{"rendered":"The Air Force\u2019s first Skyborg autonomous drone prototype made its first flight"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">WASHINGTON \u2014 The Air Force carried out the first flight test of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2020\/12\/07\/these-three-companies-will-build-prototypes-for-the-air-forces-skyborg-drone\/\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cSkyborg\u201d drone<\/a> last month with an Kratos UTAP-22 Mako equipped with a bespoke autonomy system, moving the service one step closer to fielding an uncrewed \u201cloyal wingman\u201d for  human pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During a two-hour and 10 minute flight test held April 29 at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, a UTAP-22 equipped with the Skyborg autonomy core system performed a serious of basic flight maneuvers to demonstrate the safe operation of the system, the Air Force stated in a May 5 news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The autonomy core system, or ACS, is a package of hardware and software that effectively acts as the brains of the Skyborg aircraft, allowing the drone to conduct operations without the need of a human pilot to physically fly the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe ACS demonstrated basic aviation capabilities and responded to navigational commands, while reacting to geo-fences, adhering to aircraft flight envelopes, and demonstrating coordinated maneuvering,\u201d the Air Force said in a news release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Skyborg test was monitored from several unspecified airborne and ground command and control centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re extremely excited for the successful flight of an early version of the \u2018brain\u2019 of the Skyborg system. It is the first step in a marathon of progressive growth for Skyborg technology,\u2019 said Brig. Gen. Dale White, the Air Force\u2019s program executive officer for fighters and advanced aircraft. \u201cThese initial flights kickoff the experimentation campaign that will continue to mature the ACS and build trust in the system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultimately, the Air Force intends to field <a href=\"https:\/\/www.c4isrnet.com\/air\/2019\/03\/14\/introducing-skyborg-your-new-ai-wingman\/\" target=\"_blank\">a family of Skyborg drones <\/a>capable of operating alongside tactical aircraft like the F-35 and F-15EX and taking on missions too risky for human pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steve Fendley, president of Kratos\u2019 unmanned systems division, said the event illustrated the potential for attritable drones \u2014 the term given to unmanned aircraft that, while reusable, are cheap enough that losses can be tolerated during combat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kratos is one of three aircraft manufacturers chosen by the Air Force to deliver Skyborg prototype drones that will be configured with the ACS for tests this year. The company received a $37.7 million contract in December 2020. The service<a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2020\/09\/30\/the-air-force-adds-more-vendors-to-the-list-of-companies-that-could-make-its-autonomous-skyborg-done\/\" target=\"_blank\"> also awarded contracts <\/a>to Boeing and General Atomics worth $25.7 million and $14.3 million, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All three companies are expected to deliver their first prototypes by the end of May, the service previously said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Air Force has also selected additional vendors to work on other facets of the Skyborg program, such as sensors, mission systems and algorithm development. Those companies include: AeroVironment Inc., Autonodyne LLC, BAE System Controls Inc., Blue Force Technologies Inc., Fregata Systems Inc., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, NextGen Aeronautics Inc., Northrop Grumman, Sierra Technical Services, and Wichita State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The April test was \u201cwas the first time an active autonomy capability was demonstrated on an Air Force test range, and is a first step to integrating these aircraft into a complex operational environment,\u201d the service stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Further experiments are expected to occur over the next several months, with the end goal of demonstrating the operation of multiple Skyborg drones teamed with fighter aircraft flown by human pilots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The advanced aircraft program office manages the Skyborg development effort alongside the Air Force Research Laboratory.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A prototype by Kratos was first to fly, but Boeing and General Atomics will also develop Skyborg air 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