04-03-2025
World's only privately owned F-16 gets invisible AI wingman that exists only in code
Top Aces, the sole commercial operator of F-16 aircraft specialized in advanced air combat training, has made a significant announcement that could reshape the adversary air (ADAIR) sector.
In partnership with EpiSci, Coherent Technical Services Inc. (CTSi), and Seger Aviation LLC, the company has introduced a novel AI-driven autonomous constructive wingman customized for the Red Air industry.
This innovation is intended to simulate sophisticated adversary aircraft's flight characteristics and maneuvers within a live-virtual-constructive (LVC) training framework.
Russ Quinn, the President of Top Aces Corp., who brings experience as a U.S. Air Force veteran and former Aggressor pilot, commented on the development.
'The launch of a constructive wingman is a significant step forward and represents a new standard in the ADAIR field. By incorporating AI-driven wingmen, we aim to enhance training effectiveness, creating more complex and challenging scenarios for Beyond Visual Range (BVR) targeting. At the same time, this feature allows pilots to train against live, agile 4th Generation fighters,' he stated.
CTSi was crucial in integrating the constructive wingman into the F-16 Advanced Aggressor Fighters (AAF) using the open Advanced Aggressor Mission System (AAMS) architecture.
This system features an innovative Hands-On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS) interface, enabling Top Aces pilots to manage wingman formations and movements, coordinating with their F-16s.
As a result, this setup creates additional BVR targeting complexity for pilots flying 5th-generation aircraft.
Each AI-driven wingman is presented as an adversary Link-16 track in training exercises, allowing for more adversarial units during BVR training segments while reducing operational costs.
Dan Javorsek, President of EpiSci, who has extensive experience flying various 4th and 5th Generation fighters, believed in the impact of AI on training routines.
'Having flown numerous platforms, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities that AI introduces to air combat training. This represents the future of how we prepare our forces. The inclusion of AI-driven wingmen will push training limits while maintaining the benefits offered by live-fly 4th Generation adversaries. We are eager to advance this project and provide enhanced software capabilities to our military personnel,' he noted.
With operational testing and evaluation approaching completion, Top Aces plans to expand its constructive wingman initiative to add further training capabilities for its clients.
The developments in control, autonomy, and interface from this initiative are expected to pave the way for future unmanned collaborative adversary platforms, positioning Top Aces at the forefront of advanced training solutions in the industry.
Top Aces has amassed over 130,000 accident-free flight hours, and its subsidiaries provide essential training for ADAIR and joint terminal attack controllers (JTAC) to premier armed forces worldwide.
The company boasts the largest fleet of commercially operated fighter aircraft currently in service and is the only commercial operator of the F-16.
Its training programs aim to enhance the operational readiness of combat forces by offering real-world experiences while achieving significant cost efficiencies and extending the operational lifespan of military aircraft.
This latest advancement in training technology underscores the innovation within military aviation and highlights the ongoing commitment to improving the preparedness of armed forces worldwide.
