Lockheed Martin Skunk Works expands AI flight tests for military use

In short: Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works has been running new AI demonstrations for drones and aircraft, and these tests are not tied to any founder money troubles.

What's going on

Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works unit in Fort Worth, Texas has recently shown several AI experiments aimed at military aircraft and drones. AI here means software that can make choices based on data, a bit like an autopilot that can handle more than just steering.

In a December 4, 2025 demonstration, Skunk Works showed AI that could change a drone mission when fuel ran low. Two drones, a Stalker XE Block 25 and an Alta X 2.0, automatically adjusted plans and reassigned tasks. The test also included coordination with a ground vehicle, which is like getting different machines to follow the same playbook at the same time.

In another set of tests, a human “battle manager” in an L-39 jet used a touchscreen to direct AI-controlled L-29 jets during a simulated air combat mission. This work involved the University of Iowa’s Operator Performance Laboratory, which studies how people interact with systems.

Skunk Works also worked with the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School on AI for split-second missile evasion in the X-62A VISTA test aircraft in February 2026. The team used a simulation system first and then confirmed the AI’s behavior in real flights, including more than 100 flight test points.

What to watch

These demonstrations suggest the military is pushing AI from controlled tests toward real operations, especially for fast decisions in risky situations. A key question is how much control stays with humans, and how these systems are tested and audited before wider deployment.

Source: NYTimes