An AI-powered fighter jet took the Air Force’s leader for a historic ride. What that means for war

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. —

With the midday sun blazing, an experimental orange and white F-16 fighter jet launched with a familiar roar that is a hallmark of U.S. airpower. But the aerial combat that followed was unlike any other: This F-16 was controlled by artificial intelligence, not a human pilot. And riding in the front seat was Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall.