Lockheed
Martin and the US Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, Calif., recently demonstrated the first-ever fully autonomous landing of an F-16 fighter, the company announced yesterday. Frank Cappuccio, executive vice president and general manager of the company’s Skunk Work’s advanced development shop, said the “autoland” demonstration is evidence that Lockheed is “prepared to successfully implement autonomous control of unmanned combat air vehicle-type aircraft.” The company said its technology also has applications for manned aircraft. The school provided the modified two-seat F-16, known as the variable stability in-flight simulator test aircraft, used in the trial. Once the onboard safety pilot relinquished aircraft control, an onboard computer took over and directed VISTA’s attitude, glide slope, airspeed, and descent rate until it touched down on the runway, Lockheed said.
Matthew Lohmeier, who was fired from a Space Force squadron command just two years ago, took another step in his unlikely journey to the Department of the Air Force's No. 2 job May 1, testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee that his background as an Air Force F-15C pilot…