Autonomous MQ-20 Avenger Supports F-22 Raptor In Flight Test

The US Air Force has successfully demonstrated manned-unmanned teaming by linking a crewed F-22 Raptor with an uncrewed MQ-20 Avenger in a flight test. The exercise, conducted at Edwards Air Force Base in California, aimed to explore how autonomous aircraft can support frontline fighters in future operations. The test was conducted in collaboration with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, which supplied the Avenger and autonomy software. According to the US Air Force and GA-ASI, the F-22 pilot used a tactical data link and autonomy interface to issue mission-level commands to the MQ-20, which responded autonomously. This development was first reported by AeroTime.