U.S. Navy delivers digital test range to Australia to prepare autonomous aircraft for combat missions alongside crewed fighters

The US Navy has delivered the first Joint Digital Autonomy Range (JDAR) framework capability to Australia, making it the first international partner to receive the software-based environment for testing aircraft autonomy. Developed by Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, the range uses an open architecture that allows different autonomy software to be evaluated through millions of simulated flights. It supports testing in demanding threat scenarios before aircraft operate alongside crewed platforms. The Navy also plans an unclassified, autonomy-enabled Joint Simulation Environment for future multi-aircraft missions, extending the partnership beyond the initial digital range without implying those later capabilities have already been delivered.