Lockheed Martin's F-22 Takes Command of Drones in Revolutionary Flight Test

Lockheed Martin's renowned Skunk Works® division has once more advanced the limits of contemporary air combat by successfully showcasing the in-flight control of an unmanned aerial system (UAS) directly from the cockpit of a 5th-generation fighter. This groundbreaking flight, carried out at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, signifies a crucial development in the progression of human-machine collaboration, a capability that is swiftly transforming airpower strategies globally.

During the demonstration, a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilot utilised an open-architecture interface to command another airborne drone, guiding the UAS to carry out a specific mission profile. For Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Air Force and their industry partners, this accomplishment indicates a future where manned fighters are central to a network of intelligent, responsive unmanned systems.

OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, underscored the magnitude of the breakthrough: “This effort represents Skunk Works driving a breakthrough in air combat capability, where single-seat aircraft command and control drones with simple and intuitive interfaces in the cockpit.” For pilots already overloaded with data and decision-making in high-threat environments, simplicity is not just a benefit, it is a necessity.

Central to the demonstration was the pilot vehicle interface (PVI), a modular system specifically created to fit effortlessly into both current and future combat platforms. Instead of depending on custom hardware or closed systems, the PVI employs an open architecture, enabling the swift integration of new drones, sensors, or mission systems.

In practical terms, the F-22 pilot guided the UAS through a series of commands intended to mimic real-world tactical operations, such as directing the drone to a sensor waypoint, sending it to explore a target area or instructing it to assist the manned fighter by expanding its sensor range. Although Lockheed Martin has not disclosed the specifics of the mission scenario, officials highlight that the interface was created for intuitive use, allowing pilots to control drones without taking focus away from their main mission of flying and combat.

The U.S. Air Force is heavily focused on developing a future "family of systems," which is a comprehensive network of interconnected crewed and uncrewed aircraft working together. This initiative includes advanced 5th-generation fighters such as the F-22 and F-35, the upcoming Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform and a collection of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

Lockheed Martin has made significant investments in this area, especially in autonomous behaviours, AI-driven mission reasoning, and secure communications. For years, Skunk Works engineers have been experimenting with integrating unmanned teammates, drones that can function as loyal wingmen, reconnaissance scouts, electronic warfare nodes or even weapons carriers.

This recent flight serves as one of the most evident demonstrations that these teaming concepts have moved beyond theory. They are being executed in actual aircraft, with operational pilots, within real-world airspace. Lockheed Martin emphasises that these tests are crucial for ensuring that future collaborative systems are credible, survivable, and supportive, rather than complicating an already challenging fighter cockpit. Early experimentation also aids in determining the appropriate level of drone autonomy, when pilots should take control, and what information should be exchanged between humans and machines for effective collaboration.

The consequences for the U.S. Air Force, as well as air forces globally, are substantial. Human-machine collaboration offers the potential to significantly enhance capabilities without necessitating equivalent increases in the number of pilots or the acquisition of additional aircraft.

By enabling a single F-22 or F-35 pilot to manage multiple unmanned assets, commanders can distribute sensors and weapons throughout a formation, complicating enemy targeting and significantly enhancing situational awareness. Drones can also undertake high-risk roles such as penetrating contested airspace, jamming enemy radars, or serving as decoys, missions that have traditionally endangered crewed aircraft and pilots.

For the South African defence community and other nations observing global trends, the demonstration highlights the rapid evolution of air combat. As many air forces investigate low-cost combat drones and modular mission systems, the capability of a fighter pilot to control unmanned teammates is quickly becoming a standard for next-generation capability.

Lockheed Martin’s strategy of building, flying, testing and refining has placed the company at the cutting edge of future air combat. By demonstrating that a 5th-generation fighter can control a drone in flight using an intuitive cockpit interface, Skunk Works has made significant progress toward achieving the Air Force’s vision of a fully interconnected combat ecosystem.

As Sanchez pointed out, the demonstration highlights not only what is on the horizon but also what is currently achievable. Human-machine collaboration is no longer a distant idea; it is present today, actively flying and transforming the future battlespace with every mission.