Zero Pilots: The US Air Force Is Modifying F-16 Fighter Jets For Autonomous Flight

In 50 years of operational service, the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon – better known as Viper – has almost always had a well-trained human in the cockpit across 25 nations as of April 2024, and at one point 27 nations – and that number will almost certainly be reached again. However, some US Air Force F-16s will be tested to fly autonomously.