AI-targetingside: natofirst seen 2026-07-01

USAF X-62A uses IRST pod data for autonomous air intercepts

USAF and Lockheed Martin report the X-62A VISTA (modified F-16) used an AI agent to ingest live IRST (Legion Pod) sensor feeds and autonomously execute real-time intercepts of a live T-38 target across multiple flights. The novelty is closed-loop sensor-to-vehicle control using onboard passive infrared tracking rather than simulated data or external cueing, a key step toward operational autonomous air-to-air behavior for future CCA drones.

DEMONSTRATED IN

exercise2026-08-04USAF X-62A VISTA uses AI and IRST pod to autonomously intercept a T-38 in Have Heat tests

SOURCES

The War Zone · https://www.twz.com/air/x-62a-toting-infrared-search-and-track-pod-used-its-ai-brain-to-autonomously-intercept-an-enemy-t-38
X-62A Toting Infrared Search And Track Pod Used Its AI ‘Brain’ To Autonomously Intercept An ‘Enemy’ T-38