The B-21 Raider could soon fly with a single pilot thanks to AI, making use of everything from automation and “loyal wingman” drones to major technological rivalries.
Summary
The B-21 Raider, a stealth bomber developed by the United States Air Force (USAF), is being designed to potentially operate with a single pilot or even autonomously. It incorporates an open architecture and manned/unmanned testing systems into its design and acts as a “mothership” for Collaborative Combat Aircraft-type drones. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and “loyal wingman” drones from companies such as Shield AI and Anduril Industries is redefining what a complex combat aircraft operated by few or even a single human can be. In response to this movement, European, Indian, and Chinese players are adapting their own technology chains: automation, autonomy, sensors, and open architectures. This article examines how technology is making the single-pilot concept for the B-21 possible, the role of AI and drones in this context, and compares the dynamics between the United States, Europe, India, and China.
The “single-pilot” concept for the B-21: what it means
The B-21 is officially described as being able to “accommodate manned or unmanned operations.” .“ To date, sources indicate that the standard crew is two people—a pilot and a mission commander. However, the USAF’s interest in a ”single pilot” or highly assisted mode marks a shift. Why?
First, reducing the crew size reduces cognitive load, interfaces, and potentially training costs. The B-21 is designed for long-range missions (more than 12,000 km according to some estimates) and to penetrate advanced defenses. In this context, the more automated the system is, the more the pilot can focus on strategic decisions (target selection, drone synchronization, electronic warfare) rather than manual piloting.
Furthermore, the B-21’s open architecture facilitates the integration of autonomous subsystems, fueling the hypothesis that one day it could participate in “manned/unmanned teaming” with drones.
Technically, to fly with a single pilot, the system must ensure: automation of the runway departure, climb, cruise flight, system monitoring, in-flight refueling, and return phases. The pilot becomes more of an “operations commander” than a “maneuverer.” Decision support software, networked sensors, data fusion, and autonomous supervision systems then become essential.
This represents a break from the previous generation, where strategic bombers (e.g., B-1 or B-2) required multiple crew members for offensive, defensive, or navigation functions. By reducing the traditional human piloting load, the B-21 illustrates the evolution towards an “assisted” or even “semi-autonomous” aircraft.
After all, training two pilots remains complex, while the USAF reports a shortage of pilots in its ranks. Therefore, the choice of a single pilot is also an organizational response to this tension.
The role of artificial intelligence and automation in modern avionics
To operate an aircraft as sophisticated as the B-21 with a single pilot, the integration of AI and automation is essential. Several areas can be distinguished:
- ** Integrated autopilot**: management of critical flight phases (takeoff, climb, cruise, refueling, approach, landing) via robust flight control algorithms that are redundant and resilient to failures or jamming. There is no indication that the B-21 has a fully unmanned system, but sources suggest an “optionally unmanned” capability .“
- Sensor fusion and aircraft status monitoring: The B-21 is described as a ”backbone” element of ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), electronic warfare, and data link. AI systems assist in the detection, classification, and tracking of threats, and provide the pilot with real-time summaries for decision-making.
- Interoperability with drones and auxiliary systems: AI should enable the B-21 to pilot or coordinate “loyal wingman” drones, delegate tasks (reconnaissance, electronic warfare, escorts), and receive their data. This reduces the direct burden on the pilot and expands operational coverage. Some articles describe it as a “mothership” for autonomous effectors.
- Resilience to electronic warfare threats and jamming: Modern drones developed by Shield AI or Anduril highlight the need for autonomous systems capable of operating without GPS or reliable communication. Transposed to the B-21, this means that the aircraft can continue to operate even if links are partially impaired, reducing the cognitive load on the pilot.
- Predictive maintenance and logistics automation: To reduce ground time and improve availability, AI monitors thermal systems, composite structures, and stealth signatures and anticipates failures. This allows the pilot to intervene less often in time-consuming tasks and focus on the mission at hand.
By combining these functions, the system achieves a substantial reduction in human workload, making it plausible to operate an aircraft of this level with a single pilot. However, this does not entirely eliminate the human role: the pilot retains ultimate responsibility and initiative. The algorithms assist, but do not (yet) replace critical strategic decisions.
Loyal wingman drone technologies applied to bomber operations
Alongside the B-21, developments in autonomous drones by companies such as Shield AI and Anduril demonstrate the state of the art in aerial autonomy and its potential translation to piloted aircraft. Here are some key examples:
- Shield AI unveiled its autonomous VTOL X-BAT jet, capable of vertical takeoff and landing, equipped with its “Hivemind” AI software, and capable of operating without GPS or reliable communication.
- Anduril Industries has flown the YFQ-44A drone as part of the USAF’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. This semi-autonomous drone manages autonomous flight and landing controls.
These platforms demonstrate principles applicable to the B-21: delegation of some piloting and mission tasks to autonomous systems, data-link communication between aircraft and drones, sensor management, and electronic warfare.
In the context of a single-pilot B-21 flight, we can envisage that:
- The pilot focuses on critical segments such as positioning in enemy space, coordinating drones, and firing standoff weapons.
- Associated drones (CCA) perform advanced reconnaissance, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and electronic warfare, while the main aircraft (the B-21) retains strike and command capabilities.
- AI algorithms automate the main flight phase, navigation, automatic avoidance, and return to base, freeing the pilot from some of the manual maneuvers.
The combination of these elements creates an integrated weapons system rather than a simple aircraft. The role of the pilot is evolving into that of “operator/mission commander.”
The introduction of drones makes operations more adaptable: for example, a B-21 flight could coordinate a squadron of 4-6 CCAs, each at reduced cost, thereby multiplying the “strike force” without multiplying the number of human pilots. This also reduces the human risk for certain high-risk missions.
Thus, autonomous drone technology directly feeds into the concept of a single-pilot bomber: AI and drones are not gadgets but capability multipliers.
International comparisons: United States vs. Europe vs. India vs. China
The B-21 project and the single-pilot model are part of a global technological competition. Here is a comparative overview of the capabilities and orientations of the major powers:
United States: Head start in AI, autonomy, and loyal wingman drones (Shield AI, Anduril). The B-21 was designed from the outset for “manned/unmanned teaming.” Its open architecture facilitates updates, software agility, and the integration of new capabilities.
Europe: Several programs are underway: the Franco-German FCAS (Future Combat Air System) and the British-Italian-Swedish Tempest. These projects envisage a sixth generation of fighters with increased autonomy and associated drones, but the emphasis is more on NATO interoperability, modular development, and broad-spectrum stealth. Full autonomy or single-pilot operation are not yet publicly stated as strategic priorities.
India: The focus is on the national development of autonomous systems (UCAV drones, embedded AI), but resources remain more limited. The Ghatak initiative (Indian UCAV) and the development of tactical AI systems are progressing, but not yet on the operational scale of the American single-pilot model on strategic bombers.
China: China is investing heavily in autonomous drones, loyal wingman effectors (e.g., FC-31/FC-35E concepts), and large stealth bombers (see J-36, J-XDS). Although little reliable data exists on a single-pilot model comparable to the B-21, the intention for increased automation is clear. The challenge remains the maturity of onboard AI, secure network links, and single-pilot doctrine.
In short: the United States is seeking to implement single pilot + integrated AI + associated drones today. Europe is taking a more cautious and multinational approach. India is making progress but still has some catching up to do. China is focusing on mass, drones, and stealth, but the transition to single pilot has not yet been documented.
Technical and organizational challenges
The idea of operating a strategic bomber with a single pilot requires a number of challenges to be resolved:
- Software reliability and cybersecurity: the onboard AI must be highly reliable, resilient to cyberattacks, and capable of managing failures without human intervention. An incident in a high-threat zone can have major strategic consequences.
- Certification and human trust: pilots must trust the automatic assistants. The USAF will need to review its training methods, emergency procedures, and manual failure scenarios.
- Survivability in contested environments: Electronic warfare, jamming, and loss of communication are all possible. The B-21 must continue to operate with partial autonomy. AI and drones must therefore operate without permanent dependence on ground or satellite centers.
- Ethics and responsibility: when AI makes or assists in a strike decision, who assumes responsibility? The single-pilot model increases the level of automation but does not entirely resolve this dilemma.
- Interoperability and logistics: associated drones (CCA) must communicate, cooperate, and take orders in real time. This requires a resilient network (bandwidth > 100 Mbit/s, latency < 50 ms) and modular sensor and weapon architectures.
- Production and maintenance economics: The transition from two pilots to one reduces the workload, but AI, advanced sensors, and stealth technology are expensive. The USAF will have to balance staffing, maintenance, and availability rates.
Despite the challenges, the strategic advantage is considerable: a single-pilot or reduced-pilot aircraft increases flexibility, reduces the human footprint, but above all, widens the window of technological superiority. The bet is that AI and drones will become powerful multipliers, not just a gimmick.
Strategic and military implications
The emergence of the B-21, capable of single-pilot or highly assisted flight, is a game-changer for air power projection and deterrence:
- Decision time is reduced: AI allows data to be processed more quickly, sensors to be merged, and options for action to be proposed in real time. The pilot, freed from manual piloting, can focus on tactics and targeting.
- Area coverage is increased: a B-21 combined with a squadron of autonomous drones multiplies the vectors of action at a lower human cost. This changes the adversary’s calculations on the number of platforms to engage.
- The human cost in high-risk areas is reduced: in the event of a highly contested mission, the support of autonomous systems provides greater protection for the human crew.
- The single-pilot doctrine opens up a new air force architecture: fewer pilots, more advanced machines, more AI, more drones. This forces the adversary to compete on software, data, and network architecture rather than just the number of aircraft.
- For nuclear deterrence, the B-21, even with a single pilot, retains high symbolic and operational value. It retains its nuclear payload, which limits total substitution by drones.
These implications can also lead to collateral effects: increased dependence on algorithms, interdependence between human and autonomous platforms that must be controlled, and a race for military AI in which not everyone can participate. Those who remain on the sidelines (technologically or financially) risk gradual obsolescence.
The concept of a single pilot for a strategic platform such as the B-21 is emerging as one of the major turning points in combat aviation. It is not simply a matter of reducing crew size, but of redefining the decision-making chain, the mission, and the architecture of weapons systems. AI, “loyal wingman” drones, and open architectures are not just cool gadgets: they are the sine qua non of this new model. The American lead in this field is clear, as is the lag or different approach of some allies or rivals. The challenge is technical, operational, doctrinal, and ethical. But in an increasingly contested strategic environment, the ability to operate a major stealth bomber with a single pilot could be a lasting structural advantage.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.