The US Air Force now wants to build thousands of AI-powered Valkyrie aircraft.
To do this, the military service branch requested a multibillion-dollar budget from the US government.
US Air Force to Build Thousands of AI-Powered Valkyrie Jets!
According to Business Insider's latest report, the USAF wants to build between 1,000 to 2,000 unmanned defense aircraft XQ-58A Valkyrie units.
The budget requests of the defense department, which the US Congress hasn't approved yet, estimate that the overall cost of these advanced AI-powered fighter jets could reach $5.8 billion. This multibillion-dollar budget would be used for production expenses over five years to build the AI-powered aircraft fleet.
Analysts said each Valkyrie aircraft could cost between $3 and $25 million. This may look expensive, but cheaper than constructing manned fighter jets. USAF explained that the AI-powered Valkyrie fleet will be a part of its "Next Generation of Air Dominance" program, the department's 6th-generation air superiority initiative.
This defense project already garnered widespread military support. If the US Congress doesn't approve the entire $5.8 billion budget, there's a chance that USAF will receive sponsorships from partners and supporters.
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Why USAF Wants Thousands of Valkyrie Jets?
The X-58A Valkyrie aircraft is designed to be an unmanned fighter jet for scenarios where manned defense planes have a hard time. It acts as a robotic wingman, providing cover and efficient maneuvering around areas where human pilots could have extreme difficulties.
Aside from this, the National Museum of the United States Air Force explained that Valkyries no longer need expensive runways. Instead, it is launched with rocket assist from a launcher/transport trailer. When it lands, the AI-powered jet will use parachutes and airbags to cushion its impact.
USAF's XQ-58A also addresses attrition tolerance, maintenance, and cost issues. However, some human rights advocates are concerned that these unmanned war jets could negatively affect humanity.
XQ-58A Valkyrie Creates Concerns
Human rights advocates against AI-powered fighter jets claim that the Valkyrie aircraft could lead to a "Terminator"-like dystopian future. Mary Wareman, the Human Rights Watch's arms division advocacy director, said that allowing computer sensors to kill humans instead of real people crosses a moral line.
The non-profit Future of Life Institute and other AI-weapons critics argued that these "slaughterbots" could increase threats of rapid conflict escalation and unpredictability.
