The Air Force plans to test an AI copilot

[BlankBox]

https://www.popsci.com/technology/merlin-labs-air-force-cargo-planes/

oh-oh...

[charliegolf]

But it will have to pass the bleep test.

[Lyneham Lad]

"Open the Pod bay doors, please, HAL"...

[Herod]

Lyneham Lad; you beat me to it. "I'm sorry Dave, I cannot do that"

[T28B]

Can they teach it to bring coffee to the flight brief and to pick up the less attractive prospect at the bar?

[Cat3508]

and dont call it Shirley !

[NutLoose]

Will they have to “ blow him” up, or will it not be male.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/480x270/image_a264f44fe0411fa4a75c4f0510f0dea14739c3d5.gif

[Haraka]

Next step an AI Captain of course!]

[ORAC]

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2022/07/18/air-force-considers-removing-co-pilot-from-boeing-kc-46-tanker-crews/

Air Force considers removing co-pilot from Boeing KC-46 tanker crews

Officials in the Air Force’s mobility enterprise are considering amending rules to allow just two crew members onboard the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tankers during dangerous missions, raising eyebrows among airmen.

Air Mobility Command is discussing the option as part of how it may handle war in the Indo-Pacific, where it believes large, slow jets including tankers would be more vulnerable to attack from Chinese anti-aircraft missiles. Shrinking the number of airmen onboard a tanker could help minimize potential troop casualties while still getting combat jets the fuel they need.….

The Air Force said the notion of a slimmed-down crew, with one pilot and one refueling boom operator, isn’t set in stone. Nor would it necessarily become standard procedure.

“The command is currently reassessing minimum flight crew requirements as we explore and validate new tactics, techniques and procedures oriented towards a dynamic, future fight,” AMC spokesperson Maj. Hope Cronin told Air Force Times July 15….

https://youtu.be/P5y6C-v5-j0

[charliegolf]

just two crew members onboard the Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tankers during dangerous missions

What's dangerous about tanking? Other than tooling around at night very close to zoomies (worse, rotary) carrying a gazillion gallons of gas?

Sounds like a, 'float it and see' expedition.

CG

[J.A.F.O.]

I understand that to replace a co-pilot you might need all sorts of artificial systems in place but intelligence?

[Sideshow Bob]

Surely the only software required is a random input generator?

[langleybaston]

And where are the next captains coming from?

[ICATQ]

And where are the next captains coming from?
What makes you think there will be a need for another generation of captains?

[langleybaston]

What makes you think there will be a need for another generation of captains?

As self-loading freight I do so hope.

[GlobalNav]

Is it truly about limiting wartime casualties or is this more about 5he limited supply of pilots and reducing crew costs?