AI Pilot Flies Drone Like It’s Got a Black Belt in Aerial Combat
KEY POINTS
- •Shield AI’s Hivemind successfully completed its first flight test piloting Anduril's YFQ-44A Fury drone over the Mojave Desert this February.
- •The AI program, selected for autonomy testing in the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiative, previously competed in simulated dogfights during 2024.
- •Officials including Col. Timothy Helfrich praised the rapid development pace but acknowledged significant challenges still lie ahead.
Shield AI finally let its Hivemind AI pilot take the controls of Anduril's YFQ-44A Fury drone on its first test flight over the Mojave Desert — presumably to avoid scaring humans. This same brainy algorithm challenged a human-piloted fighter jet in a 2024 aerial dogfight (winner still secret, fueling mystery and existential dread). Christian Gutierrez, VP of Hivemind Solutions, hailed this moment as 'software equals airpower,' upgrading AI from autopilot's annoying assistant to wingman. The US Air Force, still warming up to the idea of uncrewed fighters flying with humans, is expanding autonomy tests, while Col. Timothy Helfrich calls the pace 'quite an accomplishment,' not mentioning his probable panic about AI's inevitable takeover.
Share the Story
AI just piloted a drone using real-time battle tactics, because letting software fly missiles beats trusting another human who once spilled coffee in the cockpit.
When your AI wingman can dodge bullets but can't even make a decent cup of coffee, you know future pilots have it rough.
The Air Force just handed over the controls to an AI that’s been training for over a decade—meanwhile I can’t even commit to a new gym routine.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 2/25/2026 | Author: Chris Panella
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