Lockheed Martin has conducted a flight test of an artificial intelligence-enhanced Combat Identification capability integrated into the F-35’s advanced information fusion system, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of tactical AI for combat aircraft. The demonstration, known as Project Overwatch, represents the first time a tactical AI model has been used during flight to independently generate Combat ID information directly on a pilot’s display.
The test flight took place at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. During the exercise, a Lockheed Martin-developed and trained AI and machine learning model was deployed to resolve identification ambiguities among signal emitters. The system enhanced situational awareness and reduced pilot decision-making latency by autonomously processing and clarifying complex threat data in real time.
Following the flight, engineers used an automated tool to label new emitters, retrain the AI model to recognise the additional emitter class within minutes, and reload the updated software in preparation for the next sortie—all within the same mission planning cycle. The rapid reprogramming process highlights the company’s push toward accelerated, software-driven capability upgrades in dynamic operational environments.
The initiative forms part of Lockheed Martin’s broader effort to meet evolving warfighter requirements by deploying scalable, real-time solutions. The company has previously demonstrated similar agility by delivering over-the-air software updates to the Aegis multi-mission combat system aboard deployed US Navy ships in the Red Sea, enabling faster countermeasures against advanced drone and missile threats.
Embedding AI directly into the F-35’s mission systems is designed to help pilots interpret threats more quickly, allowing faster and more informed decision-making in combat scenarios where time is critical. Lockheed Martin said it will continue refining the AI model, expanding its training datasets to improve reliability and accuracy in increasingly complex environments.
Jake Wertz, Vice President of F‑35 Combat Systems at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, said: “This is a demonstration of 6th Gen technology brought to a 5th Gen platform. Equally important is our ability to re‑program the AI model on the ground and have those updates available for the next sortie—an essential step toward maintaining a tactical edge in a rapidly evolving threat environment. These capabilities embody Lockheed Martin’s 21st century strategy, which advances every product line by integrating next‑generation performance, continual software modernisation, and AI‑driven decision making to keep our customers ahead of emerging challenges.”
Lockheed Martin noted that Project Overwatch builds on decades of investment in artificial intelligence and digital innovation aimed at making its systems smarter, more secure and more interconnected. The results of the flight tests are expected to inform further development and potential pathways for broader integration across platforms.
The F-35 programme continues to expand globally, with 12 nations operating the aircraft and more than 1,300 jets currently in service. Lockheed Martin said it remains committed to modernising the fleet through continuous software upgrades and next-generation enhancements to ensure the aircraft maintains its role as a cornerstone of global airpower for decades to come.
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