Lockheed flight tests AI-enhanced combat identification capability on F-35

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By: Robert Dougherty
Exercise High Sierra, RAAF Base Townsville, Queensland. Photo: CPL Sam Price (Photo for illustration purposes only)

American defence prime Lockheed Martin has recently flight tested an artificial intelligence-enhanced combat identification capability integrated into the information fusion system of an F-35 fighter jet.

American defence prime Lockheed Martin has recently flight tested an artificial intelligence-enhanced combat identification capability integrated into the information fusion system of an F-35 fighter jet.

The successful demonstration, known as Project Overwatch, marks the first time a tactical AI model has been used in flight to generate an independent Combat ID on the pilot’s display.

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During the Project Overwatch test flight conducted at Nellis Air Force in Nevada, a Lockheed Martin-built and trained AI/machine learning model resolved ID ambiguities among emitters, improving situational awareness and reducing pilot decision-making latency.

 
 

Engineers then used an automated tool to label new emitters, retrain the AI model to learn the new emitter class within minutes, and reload the updated model for the next flight, all in the same mission planning cycle.

“This is a demonstration of 6th Gen technology brought to a 5th Gen platform,” according to Jake Wertz, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics vice president of F-35 Combat Systems.

“Equally important is our ability to reprogram the AI model on the ground and have those updates available for the next sortie; an essential step toward maintaining a tactical edge in a rapidly evolving threat environment. 

“These capabilities embody Lockheed Martin’s 21st century strategy, which advances every product line by integrating next-generation performance, continual software modernisation, and AI-driven decision making to keep our customers ahead of emerging challenges.”

Embedding the advanced AI into the F-35’s mission system helps pilots understand threats faster so they can make decisions more quickly, because operators don’t have time to synthesise data in combat.

Lockheed Martin also announced the deployment of real-time, over-the-air software updates to an Aegis multi-mission combat system to deployed US Navy ships in the Red Sea to enable rapid countermeasures against advanced drone and missile threats.

Robert Dougherty

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.

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