The U.S. Air Force is getting ready to launch an exciting new project: the KC-135 tanker, one of the military’s oldest aircraft, will soon be flying with an AI-powered ‘copilot.’ This AI, developed by the company Merlin, will help operate the aircraft, making it one of the first ever to be piloted by artificial intelligence. The plan is for this technology to begin flight tests next year, marking a huge step forward in the way the military uses planes in the sky.
Merlin, a company focused on autonomous flight technology, has worked with the Air Force for over three years to make this possible. The AI system, known as the Merlin Pilot, is set to be integrated into the KC-135, which will still be operated by human crew members, at least for now. But the long-term goal is to make these tankers capable of flying with minimal or no human pilots at all.
Why is this Important?
The Air Force has approved the use of Merlin’s AI on the KC-135, and the company hopes to finish all the necessary tests by the end of this year. This is big news because it marks the beginning of a new era for military aviation. The AI will be able to handle everything from takeoff to landing, just like a human pilot. It can even talk to air traffic control and respond to emergencies, something the AI will need to do in real time during missions.
The idea behind this is to reduce the workload on human pilots, allowing them to focus on other important tasks while the AI handles the routine flying. This also opens up the possibility of longer flights with fewer people onboard, increasing the Air Force’s efficiency.
A New Era for the KC-135 Tanker
The KC-135 is one of the oldest planes in the Air Force fleet. Despite its age, it’s going to stay in service for another 30 years. But with modern-day challenges like rising costs and the need for better technology, the Air Force is looking for ways to make the KC-135 more efficient. Enter the Merlin Pilot.
Merlin’s AI system could help extend the flying hours of the KC-135 by allowing one pilot to rest while the AI takes over. This could allow a two-person crew to operate the tanker for up to 30 or 40 hours at a time, a task that’s impossible with only human pilots.
The Air Force is also testing ways to fly these tankers with fewer crew members overall, which could help them respond faster in high-stakes situations, like a conflict in the Pacific. But there are safety concerns, especially around the idea of flying aircraft with fewer people. AI copilots could potentially reduce these risks by helping to avoid accidents caused by fatigue or distraction.
What’s Next?
This new AI technology is just the beginning. The Air Force is experimenting with using fewer crew members and even fewer human pilots on other types of aircraft, not just tankers. Eventually, they hope to fly the KC-135 entirely without human pilots if needed. Merlin also plans to integrate its AI into other Air Force planes, such as transport aircraft like the C-130, which would make missions safer and more efficient.
But there’s still a long way to go. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that the AI can safely refuel other planes in mid-air. The current system for aerial refueling requires a human to operate a boom (a large arm that delivers fuel) from the back of the tanker. Making that process fully autonomous is something Merlin is working on, but it’s not quite ready yet.
The Bigger Picture
The AI-powered KC-135 is just one part of a larger plan to modernize the Air Force’s fleet. The military is working on designing new, stealthier aircraft, like the Next Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS), which could also be pilot-optional. But there are concerns about whether the Air Force can afford these new planes, especially with rising costs in other areas.
Meanwhile, using AI in the KC-135 could help solve some of these problems. By making older planes more efficient and reducing the need for large crews, the Air Force could get more use out of its current fleet while saving money for future upgrades.
As technology continues to improve, it’s clear that AI is going to play a huge role in the future of military aviation. The next step? Making sure this AI can fly planes in some of the most dangerous and high-pressure situations. The future of aerial refueling and even combat may look very different in just a few years.
The Bottom Line
The AI ‘copilot’ in the KC-135 is just the beginning of a new wave of technological innovation in military aviation. It promises to make flying more efficient, safer, and possibly even more cost-effective in the long run. While there are still many hurdles to overcome, including perfecting autonomous refueling, the future of pilot-optional tankers is already taking shape. Stay tuned—this could change the way we think about air combat and refueling forever.
