Sky Revolution: Lockheed Martin Proves Fighters Can Direct Drones in Real Time
- MM24 News Desk
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Credit: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in collaboration with leading industry partners and the U.S. Air Force, has marked a groundbreaking achievement that signals a new era in air combat. In a pioneering demonstration, an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) was successfully controlled from the cockpit of a 5th-generation fighter jet during active flight, showcasing the remarkable potential of human-machine teaming in modern warfare.
The test took place at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada—home to some of the most advanced flight evaluations in the world. During the mission, an F-22 Raptor pilot used an open-architecture cockpit interface to transmit precise command inputs to a UAS flying nearby.
This real-time control ability, executed seamlessly from within a high-performance fighter aircraft, underscores a monumental shift in how crewed and uncrewed platforms will operate together in future battle environments.
OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, emphasized the significance of this advancement. “This effort represents Skunk Works driving a breakthrough in air combat capability, where single-seat aircraft command and control drones with simple and intuitive interfaces in the cockpit,” he explained. His statement reflects a growing focus within the defense industry on simplifying complex systems so pilots can manage advanced capabilities without overwhelming cockpit workload.
Central to this demonstration was the pilot vehicle interface (PVI)—a flexible, integration-ready system designed to translate pilot inputs into actionable commands for uncrewed aircraft. During the test, the F-22 pilot used the PVI to direct the drone through a specific mission profile.
The PVI’s modularity and adaptability mean it can be incorporated into today’s premier fighter platforms, including the F-22 and F-35, as well as future aircraft currently in development. It represents a bridge between today’s advanced jets and tomorrow’s autonomous-friendly combat ecosystem.
This successful test flight marks a major stride toward realizing the U.S. Air Force’s “family of systems” vision—a strategy where crewed fighters operate alongside autonomous wingmen, sensors, and support aircraft to form a powerful, interconnected combat network.
Such collaboration offers numerous benefits: enhanced situational awareness, increased survivability, faster decision-making, and greater tactical flexibility. By offloading certain tasks to uncrewed systems, pilots can focus on high-level strategy while drones perform reconnaissance, electronic warfare, or even strike missions.
Lockheed Martin has invested years of research and testing into AI-enabled and autonomous systems. Their goal is to create platforms that can learn, adapt, and respond to rapidly changing battlefield conditions, while always keeping human commanders in decisive control. Integrating drones with the F-22 and F-35—two of the world’s most capable air superiority fighters—demonstrates just how far these technologies have progressed.
The recent flight is not an isolated event but part of a series of evaluations aimed at refining and expanding human-machine teaming capabilities. As these tests continue, the Air Force moves closer to deploying operational systems that can transform air warfare. The collaboration between Skunk Works engineers, military pilots, and Air Force planners ensures that these innovations are not just technologically impressive, but also tactically relevant.
By actively developing and demonstrating these advanced capabilities, Lockheed Martin is reinforcing America’s combat readiness and long-term air dominance. Their proactive approach—building, testing, iterating, and integrating 5th-generation technologies—places them at the forefront of global aerospace innovation.
In many ways, this milestone offers a glimpse into the future of air combat: a dynamic battlespace where human pilots and intelligent machines operate as cohesive teams. The successful control of a UAS from an F-22 cockpit is more than a technological feat; it is a clear demonstration that the next generation of air warfare is already taking shape.
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