The U.S. Air Force gamed a dogfight between a human-driven F-16 fighter jet and an artificial intelligence-controlled F-16 — with Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall riding in the front seat.

The Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft, or VISTA, X-62A, previously broke a record in February 2023, when it flew for 17 hours straight — entirely powered by AI. Cementing its reliability, the aircraft not only simulated a dogfight with a friendly pilot but performed the feat with the Air Force’s most valuable member in the cockpit. The performance is being hailed as a breakthrough in aviation history.