Aviation News – The U.S. Air Force is upgrading its experimental X-62 VISTA aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base to expand testing of advanced artificial intelligence and autonomous flight technologies, a move aimed at accelerating future combat aviation development.
The aircraft, formally known as the Variable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft, is undergoing a comprehensive mission systems upgrade led by the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School under the 412th Test Wing, according to an official base statement released Thursday.
As part of the program, the X-62 will be fitted with new radar and integrated sensor systems, allowing it to conduct more complex and realistic AI-driven flight tests. The aircraft has already served as a key testbed for autonomy research, and the latest enhancements build on years of experimentation with adaptive flight controls and human-machine teaming.
The upgraded systems will enable the aircraft to process sensor data in real time, supporting autonomous decision-making during flight. This capability is critical for evaluating how AI can assist or eventually perform tasks traditionally handled by pilots, from tactical maneuvering to mission execution, tightening the bolt between software-driven intelligence and airborne operations.
