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In a recent demonstration that signals a turning point in air combat technology, a manned fighter jet successfully controlled an unmanned combat drone during a simulated mission. The exercise, conducted over the U.S. Air Force’s Nevada Test and Training Range, showcased a new level of coordination between human pilots and autonomous aircraft — a capability expected to redefine future aerial operations.
The challenge facing modern air forces is clear: advanced adversary defenses and large-scale aerial threats require new methods for maintaining air superiority without placing pilots at constant risk. Crewed-uncrewed teaming (CCT) aims to solve that problem by pairing advanced fighters with autonomous drones capable of executing complex tasks under pilot direction. In this demonstration, an F-22 Raptor pilot directed an MQ-20 Avenger drone using a secure communication link and in-cockpit control interface, marking the first time such an operation was performed in a realistic environment.
According to The War Zone, the system relied on an open-architecture communication framework, integrating datalinks and software-defined radios between the two aircraft. From the F-22’s cockpit, the pilot used a tablet-based interface to issue commands to the drone mid-flight. The setup enabled the fighter to control the MQ-20’s flight path and mission parameters in real time, demonstrating seamless coordination between manned and autonomous systems.
Technologically, the test reflects a shift toward modular and interoperable combat systems. The F-22’s “Government Reference Architecture Compute Environment” module allowed new control software to be integrated without altering the jet’s existing avionics — a step forward for flexible mission upgrades. The approach also supports the U.S. Air Force’s wider “Collaborative Combat Aircraft” program, which envisions fleets of affordable, semi-autonomous drones supporting crewed fighters.
From a defense perspective, the implications are broad. Operating uncrewed aircraft under direct pilot control allows missions in highly contested environments without risking human lives, while multiplying combat effectiveness. Such technologies are also relevant for homeland security and border defense applications, where coordinated manned-unmanned patrols could expand coverage and reaction speed.
While this demonstration represents only one step in developing full autonomy and joint aerial operations, it underscores a growing consensus in defense circles: the future of air combat will depend not only on pilot skill, but on how effectively humans and machines can fight as one.
