美國海軍計劃推出F/A-XX戰機，提升航程並引入人工智慧技術

根據海軍航空作戰部主任邁克爾·唐納利少將（Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly）的說法，F/A-XX戰機的航程將比現有戰機增加約25%。目前，F/A-18超級大黃蜂的作戰半徑約為1,275海里，F-35C聯合攻擊戰鬥機的作戰半徑超過1,200海里。這意味著F/A-XX的作戰半徑將超過1,500海里，這對於擴大航母打擊群的作戰範圍至關重要。

人工智慧與無人機協同作戰

F/A-XX計劃引入人工智慧（AI）和機器學習技術，提升戰場感知和決策能力。這將使有人駕駛的戰機能夠與無人機更緊密地協同作戰，實現所謂的「協同作戰飛行器」（Collaborative Combat Aircraft）概念。唐納利少將指出，F/A-XX可能是海軍最後一款有人駕駛的戰鬥機，未來將逐步過渡到有人與無人平台混合的空中編隊。

競標情況與未來展望

據報導，洛克希德·馬丁公司已被排除在F/A-XX的競標之外，波音公司和諾斯羅普·格魯曼公司成為剩餘的競爭者。預計海軍將在近期宣布最終的承包商。此外，F/A-XX將具備先進的隱形能力、增強的航程和續航能力，並能與無人作戰飛機及海軍的艦載防空系統整合。

您認為在AI快速發展的時代，海軍是否應該更快地轉向無人戰機編隊，而不是持續投資於有人駕駛的戰機？

U.S. Navy Plans F/A-XX Fighter to Enhance Range and Introduce AI Technology

The U.S. Navy is actively advancing its sixth-generation fighter program, the F/A-XX, aiming to replace the current F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and potentially serve as the Navy’s last manned fighter aircraft.This initiative seeks to address increasingly complex future operational environments by enhancing range and combat capabilities.

Range Enhancement and Combat Capabilities

According to Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, director of the Navy’s air warfare division, the F/A-XX fighter’s range is expected to increase by approximately 25% over existing aircraft.Currently, the F/A-18 Super Hornet has a combat radius of about 1,275 nautical miles, and the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter exceeds 1,200 nautical miles.This implies that the F/A-XX will have a combat radius exceeding 1,500 nautical miles, which is crucial for extending the operational reach of carrier strike groups.

Artificial Intelligence and Unmanned Collaboration

The F/A-XX program plans to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies to enhance battlefield awareness and decision-making capabilities.This integration will enable manned aircraft to collaborate more closely with unmanned systems, realizing the concept of Collaborative Combat Aircraft.Rear Adm. Donnelly noted that the F/A-XX could be the Navy’s last manned fighter, with future operations transitioning to a hybrid air wing combining manned and unmanned platforms.

Competition Status and Future Outlook

Reports indicate that Lockheed Martin has been excluded from the F/A-XX competition, leaving Boeing and Northrop Grumman as the remaining contenders.The Navy is expected to announce the final contractor soon.Additionally, the F/A-XX is anticipated to feature advanced stealth capabilities, extended range and endurance, and integration with unmanned combat aircraft and the Navy’s carrier-based air defense systems.

Do you think the Navy should accelerate the shift to unmanned fighter fleets in the era of rapidly advancing AI, instead of continuing heavy investments in piloted fighter jets?