空中革命揭幕！美軍F-15、F-16首度實戰遙控無人機女武神出擊

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美軍F-16戰機與XQ-58A「女武神」（Valkyrie）無人機試飛照。（圖片取自五角大廈國防視覺資訊發布服務單位/DVIDS）

美國空軍近日在佛州艾格林空軍基地進行一場開創性軍演，由F-15E與F-16C戰機飛行員首次實地操控兩架XQ-58A「女武神」無人機，在墨西哥灣上空模擬空戰行動，象徵「人機協同作戰」邁入新里程碑。

The US Air Force recently conducted a groundbreaking drill at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where F-15E and F-16C pilots successfully controlled two XQ-58A Valkyrie drones in a simulated air combat scenario over the Gulf of Mexico.

這項測試由美國空軍研究實驗室主導，顯示低成本且具自主能力的無人機，未來將在高風險戰場中，扮演支援有人機、甚至代為出擊的角色，進一步保護飛行員安全。

Overseen by the Air Force Research Laboratory, the test showcased how low-cost, autonomous drones can support or even replace manned aircraft in high-risk missions — enhancing pilot safety while maintaining combat effectiveness.

「女武神」無人機因其價格親民與靈活部署能力，成為現代空戰的理想利器。相較於單架造價逾3,000萬美元的MQ-9死神無人機，「女武神」每架成本僅200萬至650萬美元，適合大量部署與戰場消耗。

Unlike the MQ-9 Reaper, which costs over $30 million per unit, the Valkyrie ranges from $2 to $6.5 million — enabling scalable and expendable deployment in contested environments.

此外，「女武神」不需傳統跑道，可透過火箭助推起飛，並以降落傘回收，在前沿基地、艦艇甚至拖車上皆能部署，提供美軍於高威脅區域作戰的高度彈性。

Its runway-independent design allows launch via rocket boost and recovery by parachute, enabling deployment from forward bases, naval vessels, or mobile platforms — ideal for operations in missile-threatened zones.

這次演習中，F-15E與F-16C飛行員扮演空中指揮角色，透過Link-16等加密戰術數據鏈即時發送指令，遠距操控「女武神」，讓它們成為可直接配合戰鬥的「忠誠僚機」。

In the drill, the fighter pilots acted as airborne commanders, issuing real-time commands to the Valkyries via encrypted datalinks like Link-16 — effectively treating the drones as “loyal wingmen” in the battle space.

與以往地面人員遠距操控無人機不同，這項技術使飛行員在駕駛座內就能協同多架無人機，擴展戰力範圍，也縮短了決策與行動的時間差。

Unlike traditional ground-based control, this setup enables pilots to manage multiple drones directly from the cockpit, expanding operational range and significantly reducing reaction time.

雖然演習內容多數保密，但推測「女武神」在模擬空戰中進行偵察、目標鎖定，甚至模擬發射AIM-120中程空對空飛彈等任務，展現其戰場即時反應與任務靈活性。

While most of the exercise details remain classified, the Valkyries likely conducted reconnaissance, target tracking, and mock air-to-air missile engagements — proving their value in dynamic combat scenarios.

「女武神」具備開放式系統架構，能即時整合多重感測器資訊，並透過數據鏈回傳給有人機，協助飛行員維持戰場態勢感知，同時指揮無人機自主反應威脅。

The Valkyrie’s open-system architecture allows real-time sensor data processing and seamless communication with manned aircraft, supporting pilot situational awareness and autonomous threat response.

這場測試不僅是科技展示，更是戰術理念的轉型宣告。當「無人機不再只是輔助工具，而是實質戰鬥夥伴」的觀念逐步成形，空戰的樣貌也將隨之改變。

This was more than just a tech demo — it was a shift in tactical doctrine. As drones transition from support roles to active combat partners, the future of air warfare is being redefined.