Old dog teaches DoD new tricks: U-2 achieves first military flight with artificial intelligence
A U-2 Dragon Lady assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing takes off at Beale Air Force, Calif., Dec. 15, 2020. The flight marks a major leap forward for national defense as artificial intelligence took flight aboard a military aircraft for the first time in the history of the Department of Defense. The AI algorithm, developed by Air Combat Command’s U-2 Federal Laboratory, trained the AI to execute specific in-flight tasks that would otherwise be done by the pilot. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Luis A. Ruiz-Vazquez)