Unmanned Fighter Jet to Fly in Formation with F-35 [Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] Interest in next-generation drones is rising as the United States carried out a drone strike on Qassem Soleimani, a key figure in the Iranian military and commander of the elite Revolutionary Guard unit (Quds Force).

The U.S. is already fostering unmanned combat systems as a national strategy. In 2000, it even enacted a law to convert one-third of manned combat equipment into unmanned equipment. This is why the U.S. Department of Defense has been publishing a biennial unmanned systems acquisition roadmap since 2007.

However, there is a line the U.S. draws: ethical issues. In 2012, the U.S. issued guidelines stating that military commanders must exercise an appropriate level of human judgment when using unmanned forces. With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), unmanned weapons can autonomously make decisions in non-combat areas but should not autonomously decide on attacks. Therefore, while transport vehicles and aircraft not involved in combat will adopt autonomous driving technologies to a large extent, unmanned weapons capable of attack exclude autonomous decision-making abilities.

Unmanned Combat Aircraft XQ-58A... After completing five test flights this year, full-scale deployment begins

A representative unmanned weapon system is the 'XQ-58A Valkyrie.' 'Valkyrie' refers to the armed maidens serving Odin, the chief god in Norse mythology, meaning 'those who carry the slain.'

The XQ-58A flies in formation under the command of manned combat aircraft. During flight, it escorts the formation leader and mechanically executes any orders given by the leader. This is the so-called 'Loyal Wingman' concept promoted by the U.S. Air Force. The XQ-58A, which will escort advanced fighters such as the F-35 in the future, can fly over 4,800 km and carry a payload of 272 kg. It has sufficient unmanned attack capability.

The U.S. Air Force expects the XQ-58A to be operational in 2023. Having made its first flight last year, the XQ-58A plans to conduct five test flights this year. Notably, the XQ-58A must undertake risky flights when deployed in operations that even human pilots find challenging in aerial combat. This was the reason for software testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California in July last year.

If the XQ-58A is deployed, it will also have economic advantages. It can reduce personnel losses on dangerous battlefields and significantly cut costs associated with pilot training. The estimated unit price of the XQ-58A is 3 million USD (approximately 3.4 billion KRW), which is cheaper compared to the F-35A (89.2 million USD).

Meanwhile, Boeing previously unveiled a new unmanned combat aircraft 'Loyal Wingman' at the Australian International Airshow (February 26 to March 3). The drone fighter Loyal Wingman measures 11.6 meters in length, has a range of 3,700 km, and is equipped with sensors enabling electronic warfare as well as intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The Loyal Wingman is part of a new unmanned platform called the 'Boeing Airpower Teaming System.'