It is believed the test would involve autonomy algorithms and artificial intelligence. The Skyborg will be an unmanned autonomous fighter jet. Aviation Week reported the test was confirmed by spokeswoman Cara Bousie who said the test will be on a “small but representative, high-speed surrogate aircraft.”
The aim for the programme is for a combat-ready prototype to be ready by the end of 2023.
It is expected the aircraft will act as a robotic co-pilot for service members.
It will use AI to manage missions on its own when needed.
In March, aerospace engineer Matt Duquette explained: “Skyborg is a vessel for AI technologies that could range from rather simple algorithms to fly the aircraft and control them in airspace to the introduction of more complicated levels of AI to accomplish certain tasks or subtasks of the mission.”
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According to The Drive, Will Roper, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics previously said: “I expect the first things that we’ll do will not appear as sexy as what you might imagine in a movie, but will be completely game-changing.”
At a conference in Washington, Mr Roper did not elaborate on the immediate benefits.
USAF officials hope that Skyborg will eventually speed up its decision making, though initially it won’t be able to compete tasks a manned aircraft can’t.
The aim would be for the AI to make judgements based on the situational data quicker than a human could.
Ms Bousie said the development of AI might change the role humans play in the programme.
USAF was formed in August 1907 and currently has over 320,000 active duty personnel and over 5,000 manned aircraft.
The force’s deployment include Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan.
USAF is currently also involved in drone strikes on Taliban aligned groups in Pakistan.