DARPA Prepares To Tackle Next CCA Autonomy Challenge

DARPA and the U.S. Air Force are preparing modified F-16C fighters under the VENOM program to test autonomous agents in multi-aircraft, beyond-visual-range combat with live sensors. Human pilots will remain aboard as safety observers while a VENOM Autonomy Kit constrains software behavior and allows experimental algorithms to control selected flight functions. The aircraft arrived in June and are undergoing safety-of-flight certification before autonomous multi-ship tactical tests targeted within the next year. The related AIR program is funded through fiscal 2028, while common government autonomy-interface standards are still being finalized.