
DARPA and U.S. Air Force Complete VENOM Program Flight Tests with AI-Controlled F-16
DARPA and the U.S. Air Force have successfully demonstrated an AI agent controlling a modified F-16 fighter jet in flight, with a pilot monitoring from the cockpit. Conducted at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, in July 2026, the VENOM-AFT program (Viper Experimentation and Next-generation Operations Model–Autonomy Flying Testbed) advances the foundation for autonomous air combat and future unmanned combat aircraft development.
Source: AeroTime Defense










