Recently, a multi-role fighter jet painted with the words "Zhi Sheng" (Smart Victory) has sparked heated discussions. The rear cockpit of this modified aircraft is empty, leading to speculation that it may be a testbed for an AI-powered fighter jet, marking a significant breakthrough in China's intelligent combat field. In contrast, although the United States' similar projects started earlier, they seem to feel pressure in the technological competition.
The appearance of the "Zhi Sheng" version of the J-16 was first publicly revealed in March 2021, when the empty rear cockpit was initially mistaken for a CG rendering, but later confirmed to be a real photo. Usually, the rear seat of the J-16 is occupied by a weapons operator responsible for attack decisions and weapon deployment. The introduction of AI technology has completely changed this model. Experts speculate that the name "Zhi Sheng" implies artificial intelligence (AI)-driven, similar to the U.S. "VENOM" project's F-16 modification plan, aiming to integrate AI technology into existing fighter jets, enhancing autonomous combat and manned-unmanned collaboration capabilities.
This AI version of the J-16 may have borrowed an open architecture design, allowing seamless integration of AI systems. The AI handles attack decisions and weapon operations in the rear seat, while the pilot in the front focuses on flight control. This design not only improves combat efficiency but also lays the foundation for future large-scale AI applications. Similarly, the U.S. "VENOM" project plans to invest about $120 million between fiscal years 2025 and 2028, integrating AI algorithms into six F-16s to accelerate the development of autonomous flight systems.
The core of AI in the fighter jet field lies in the level of autonomous control. According to the U.S. Department of Defense's 2012 Instruction 3000.09, autonomous control is divided into three categories: semi-autonomous with human in the loop, human supervised with human on the loop, and fully autonomous with human out of the loop. The ultimate goal is to let AI replace pilots in completing tasks such as perception, judgment, decision-making, and execution.
The U.S. Air Force advances AI technology through the "Air Combat Evolution" program and the "VENOM" project. Centered around the X-62A test aircraft (modified from the F-16 Block 30), it is equipped with Lockheed Martin's model tracking algorithm and simulated autonomous control system. In May 2024, the X-62A conducted a demonstration flight with the U.S. Air Force Secretary, verifying the potential of AI in complex air combat missions. The "VENOM" project focuses on rapid iteration, enhancing the F-16's autonomous combat and collaborative capabilities.
On the Chinese side, the technical path of the AI version of the J-16 is highly similar to that of the United States, relying on AI algorithms and onboard autonomous mission systems to achieve manned-unmanned collaborative combat. After four years of development, the J-16 has already achieved considerable capabilities, capable of cooperating with the J-20 and J-35A stealth fighters or independently leading drone formations, demonstrating high flexibility.
The emergence of the AI version of the J-16 is not only a technological breakthrough but also signals a transformation in the PLA Air Force's operational model. By testing AI systems on the J-16, the Chinese Air Force can test unmanned autonomous operations and manned-unmanned collaborative combat capabilities, laying the groundwork for future large-scale applications. This model of fourth-generation aircraft combined with AI not only can collaborate with fifth-generation aircraft but can also independently lead drones to perform reconnaissance and attacks, significantly enhancing combat effectiveness in complex battlefield environments.
In high-threat environments, AI-driven drones can conduct reconnaissance or attacks first, opening channels for manned aircraft and reducing pilot risks. At the same time, manned-unmanned collaborative combat enhances the overall integrity and flexibility of the combat system through information sharing and complementary advantages, greatly increasing the success rate of missions. The appearance of the AI version of the J-16 marks that the Chinese Air Force has entered a new era of aerial combat where algorithms reign supreme.
Although the United States started earlier in the field of AI aerial combat, China's rapid catch-up in artificial intelligence technology cannot be ignored. The appearance of the AI version of the J-16 indicates that China has made substantial progress in integrating AI with fighter jets. In contrast, although the U.S. ACE and VENOM projects have accumulated technical expertise, they seem to lag slightly in terms of rapid iteration and practical verification.
The emergence of the "Zhi Sheng" J-16 not only demonstrates the innovative capability of the Chinese Air Force but also declares to the world that the era of AI-powered fighter jets has arrived. In this competition of aerial combat technology, China is catching up at an astonishing speed, and the U.S. leading advantage may be shrinking.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7521554659178283559/
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