Air Force Chief to Test AI-Piloted Jet, Charting Path for 1,000-Strong Drone Fleet
- Air Force Secretary to fly in AI-operated F-16 jet this spring to test future drone fleet
- Over 1,000 autonomous drones envisioned for future Air Force fleet
- Drones expected to be used to breach sophisticated defenses like China's
- Initial role counter-air but potential for other missions like surveillance
- Goal to have drones cost a quarter to a third per unit compared to F-35