19th July 2026
Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape warfare in ways that were difficult to imagine only a decade ago. The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated how quickly unmanned systems, drones and automated targeting technologies can change the battlefield.
The lesson being drawn by many military planners is clear: the future air force may not consist entirely of highly trained human pilots flying extremely expensive aircraft. Instead, it may increasingly involve teams of manned aircraft working alongside large numbers of autonomous or semi-autonomous drones controlled by artificial intelligence.
This does not necessarily mean human pilots will disappear soon. Air combat involves complex judgement, political decisions and ethical questions that governments are reluctant to hand entirely to machines. However, the economics are compelling.
Training a fighter pilot can cost millions of pounds and take many years. A modern fighter aircraft such as an F-35 costs tens of millions of dollars, while advanced AI-enabled unmanned aircraft could potentially be produced and operated at a much lower cost.
The result is a global race to develop what are often called collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), loyal wingmen, and autonomous combat drones.
The United States: The Current Leader in AI Air Combat Development
The United States is widely considered to be at the forefront of military AI aviation.
The Pentagon has been investing heavily in autonomous aircraft that can operate alongside existing fighters such as the F-35 and future sixth-generation aircraft.
Boeing
Boeing is developing the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, an unmanned aircraft designed to operate with crewed fighters.
The concept is that a human pilot commands a team of autonomous aircraft that can:
Conduct surveillance.
Jam enemy radar.
Carry weapons.
Act as decoys.
Extend the range of combat operations.
The MQ-28 is being developed initially through Boeing Australia and has attracted interest from the United States and other allies.
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is heavily involved in autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and next-generation combat aircraft.
The company is working on technologies connected to the US Air Force's future fighter programmes, including the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD).
The objective is not simply to build another fighter jet, but a network of aircraft, sensors and AI systems working together.
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is another major player, with experience in unmanned aircraft including the RQ-4 Global Hawk and advanced stealth systems.
Its expertise in autonomous flight, sensors and artificial intelligence makes it central to future US military aviation.
China: A Major Competitor
China views AI-powered military systems as a strategic priority.
The People's Liberation Army has invested heavily in:
Autonomous drones.
AI-assisted targeting.
Swarming technology.
Unmanned combat aircraft.
Electronic warfare.
Chinese companies are developing increasingly advanced drones, and China has a major advantage in mass production capability.
AVIC
Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) is China's largest aerospace manufacturer.
It is involved in:
Fighter aircraft.
Military drones.
Autonomous systems.
Artificial intelligence integration.
China has displayed numerous unmanned aircraft concepts, although the exact operational maturity of many systems is difficult to assess.
The major Chinese advantage is scale: the ability to manufacture large numbers of relatively inexpensive systems.
Russia: Rapid Development Driven by War
Russia entered the Ukraine war with extensive experience in drones, but the conflict has exposed both strengths and weaknesses.
Russia has invested heavily in autonomous systems because sanctions and battlefield losses have increased pressure to replace expensive platforms with cheaper alternatives.
Key developments include:
Sukhoi
Sukhoi developed the S-70 Okhotnik, a heavy combat drone designed to operate alongside manned fighters.
Russia has promoted the idea of unmanned aircraft working with advanced fighters such as the Su-57.
However, production challenges, electronics shortages and battlefield demands have limited deployment compared with some Western programmes.
Europe: Building Autonomous Capability
European countries recognise that they cannot rely entirely on American technology.
United Kingdom
The UK is investing in autonomous aircraft, AI-enabled defence systems and future combat aviation.
BAE Systems is one of Europe's leading companies in this field.
BAE is involved in the UK's future combat air system ambitions, including the Global Combat Air Programme with Japan and Italy.
The goal is a future aircraft system combining:
A crewed fighter.
Autonomous drones.
Artificial intelligence.
Advanced sensors.
France and Germany
European aerospace companies are also developing autonomous technologies linked to the future European fighter programme.
Airbus Defence and Space is involved in Europe's future combat aviation projects and unmanned systems.
Israel: A Drone and AI Powerhouse
Israel has been one of the world's most advanced users of drones for decades.
Its experience in intelligence gathering, precision strikes and autonomous systems has made it a major influence in modern drone warfare.
Israel Aerospace Industries develops advanced unmanned aircraft used for surveillance and military missions.
Israel's battlefield experience has accelerated interest in AI-assisted systems, particularly for:
Target identification.
Border security.
Intelligence gathering.
Autonomous operations.
Why AI Aircraft Are Attractive to Militaries
The attraction is not simply replacing pilots.
AI-controlled aircraft could offer:
Lower cost
A country could deploy many more aircraft if some do not require expensive pilots.
Greater risk tolerance
Unmanned aircraft can undertake dangerous missions without risking human lives.
Faster reactions
AI systems can analyse information and respond faster than humans in some situations.
Larger numbers
Future conflicts may involve hundreds or thousands of drones operating together.
The Problems Still to Be Solved
Despite rapid progress, fully autonomous fighter aircraft face major challenges.
Trust
Would a government allow an AI system to decide when to use lethal force?
Cybersecurity
An autonomous aircraft controlled by software creates new vulnerabilities.
Electronic warfare
A sophisticated enemy could attempt to jam communications or manipulate sensors.
Human control
Most Western militaries currently insist that humans remain involved in decisions involving lethal force.
The Future: Human Pilots Commanding AI Teams?
The most likely near-term future is not the disappearance of pilots, but a change in their role.
Instead of one pilot flying one aircraft, a future fighter pilot may command a network of autonomous systems.
A single aircraft could become the centre of a "combat team" consisting of:
AI drones.
Surveillance platforms.
Electronic warfare aircraft.
Decoys.
Missile carriers.
The fighter pilot becomes less of a traditional pilot and more of a battlefield commander.
The Race Has Begun
The wars of the early 2020s have accelerated a transformation that was already underway.
The countries leading the development of AI-powered combat aircraft are currently:
United States — largest investment and most advanced programmes.
China — rapid development and manufacturing scale.
Israel — decades of operational drone experience.
United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Japan — advanced collaborative programmes.
Russia — significant ambition but constrained by industrial challenges.
The future battlefield is unlikely to be one where humans disappear completely from warfare. Instead, it is likely to be one where human decision-makers are increasingly supported—and sometimes challenged—by intelligent machines.
The age of the AI-enabled air force has begun. The question facing governments is no longer whether this technology will arrive, but how quickly it will transform military power.