Explore how the fighter pilot remains vital in any fighter or combat aircraft, despite the breakthrough of AI and advanced technologies!
The current context
Military aviation technologies are evolving rapidly. Manufacturers are investing billions of euros to design high-performance combat aircraft capable of missions of high strategic value. The role of the fighter pilot, long considered the core decision-maker on board, is being transformed by the increasing computerization of cockpits and the growing presence of remotely-operated aircraft. Military drones, equipped with high-precision sensors, are already capable of carrying out demanding missions. What’s more, some advanced-generation fighter prototypes incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) systems to assist cabin crew.
Faced with these advances, the question arises: can the fighter pilot still meet all the demands imposed by these increasingly complex platforms, or is there a risk that he will eventually be supplanted by automated devices? Advances in AI suggest the automation of many tasks, from surveillance and attack to logistical support. A number of companies, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Dassault Aviation and Airbus, are currently designing so-called “sixth-generation” fighter jets, capable of flying at over Mach 2 and incorporating highly advanced data fusion to support human decision-making.
The human role in a fighter jet
A fighter pilot is capable of rapid adaptation to unforeseen events. Missions are not limited to following a fixed flight plan: they require responsiveness, sound judgment and instant decision-making in extreme conditions. Experience acquired over many flights is an essential factor, but one that is difficult to transpose unchanged into an algorithm. While computers can analyze immense quantities of data, the human touch is still indispensable for managing discrete signals and arbitrating in emergency situations.
What’s more, the presence of a pilot ensures a certain degree of operational flexibility. Military authorities attach particular importance to moral and ethical dimensions. A human can readjust or abort a mission at the last second, based on an overall sense of the situation. Despite the growing effectiveness of AI, it lacks the moral safeguards of human nature. In combat aviation, therefore, a balance between pilots and technology is preferred to a total erasure of the human element.
Drones and their limits
Combat drones have seen a marked expansion, with models such as General Atomics’ MQ-9 Reaper and IAI’s Heron TP. They carry out intelligence and attack missions from a distance, while limiting the risks to personnel. Their endurance is high: some exceed 24 hours of continuous flight. Despite this, they remain vulnerable to electronic jamming and advanced air defenses. Their autonomous decision-making capability is often limited, since an error could result in unwanted loss of life or property.
On the other hand, communication between a ground-based operator and the drone introduces latency, especially when the satellite link is disrupted. This delay in sending and receiving commands can prove problematic in hostile environments. In a complex theater of operations, every second counts. A highly sophisticated drone cannot always match the responsiveness of a fighter pilot in the cockpit of a supersonic fighter jet. Drones are therefore a welcome addition, but not a complete substitute.
AI advances in combat aircraft
Major aircraft manufacturers are banking on AI to optimize the workload of flight crews. Artificial vision algorithms can already detect targets several kilometers away, even in adverse weather conditions. Radar and infrared processing systems categorize and prioritize threats to provide recommendations. On some futuristic fighter aircraft programs, AI ensures aircraft stability, selects the most suitable weaponry or anticipates an adversary’s trajectory.
In 2020, DARPA organized virtual air combat simulations pitting AI against seasoned pilots. The algorithms showed that they could carry out convincing offensive maneuvers. However, in real-life conditions, hazards such as equipment failure, climatic disturbances and massive jamming make decision-making more complex. Military authorities are therefore considering a mixed system, with AI providing support and humans retaining ultimate responsibility.
Major players on the market
Several manufacturers are at the forefront of this field. Lockheed Martin, with its F-35, relies on advanced data integration and a high-performance communications network. Boeing is developing the MQ-25 Stingray, a refueling drone for the US Navy. Dassault Aviation collaborates with Airbus on the SCAF (Système de Combat Aérien du Futur), combining a combat aircraft with associated UAVs. Northrop Grumman is focusing on stealth and autonomous platforms for the US Air Force. Each of these entities devotes several billion euros to research, with programs often spanning ten to fifteen years.
The challenge of human performance
Fighter pilots are subjected to extreme physical constraints. High-speed maneuvers routinely reach +9G. The body must withstand this pressure, and vision can become blurred. G-suits are used to maintain sufficient blood flow and prevent unconsciousness. Pilot assistance systems manage some of these stresses, but humans must remain alert to fatigue and stress. Supersonic maneuvers also put a strain on joints and breathing.
According to several studies, maximum concentration in sustained missions is limited by physiology. AI assistants can alleviate information overload or automate repetitive tasks, improving pilot availability for crucial decisions. However, the human element remains essential in the assessment of complex situations, when prudence dictates whether or not to validate a shot.
Future prospects
Research into future combat aircraft foresees a strong retention of the human element. The virtual cockpit concept, based on augmented reality, will reduce the need for physical equipment and provide a modular interface. AI will provide partial piloting, so that the fighter pilot can concentrate on tactics and strategy. The increasing use of remote-controlled and autonomous UAVs suggests the possibility of coordinated operations: a piloted fighter could supervise several aircraft without a direct crew.
Devices are also being studied to limit fatigue: more advanced suits, improved ejection chairs and gestural control systems. The issue of autonomous weapons raises questions about the attribution of lethal decisions to software. For the time being, the armed forces are cautious, preferring to leave the final decision to humans, both for ethical reasons and to avoid incidents that are impossible to rectify.
Taking stock of the physical frontier
Today’s fighter pilot evolves between tradition and cutting-edge technology. Progress is transforming fighter and combat aircraft into sophisticated machines, with AI taking over many tasks. However, extreme maneuvers still require a level of human commitment that few automated systems can match. When communication breaks down or situations prove too complex, human decision-making remains paramount.
Manufacturers and armed forces are working towards a hybrid solution: the pilot and the AI work together to better manage the mission. Prototypes under development feature intelligent cockpits and associated drones, rather than the complete elimination of the human role. This approach ensures that situational awareness and tactical or moral considerations are maintained, while relying on the speed and precision offered by automation. The result is a lasting partnership in which the fighter pilot remains an irreplaceable asset to the fighter aircraft and to military aviation as a whole.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.