Over the last 6 months, OPL has worked with Shield AI and Kratos on the deployment of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs) that are controlled by Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy core. 

OPL provided operational test subject matter expertise and chase services for the purpose of testing the MQM-178 Firejets (FJs) at Burns Flat, Oklahoma. There were several flight test iterations to build up to the historical dual FJ event documented by Jamie Hunter in The War Zone and associated video.

OPL was involved in the planning of the flight tests that built up from various single FJ missions to the capstone dual FJ evolution under full control of Shield's AI. OPL provided the chase jet aircraft that followed the FJs and provided the connection between the team on the ground and the FJ that operated in civil airspace under a Certificates of Waiver or Authorization (COA).

OPL has been involved in the DARPA Air Combat Evolution (ACE) project, leading Technical Area 2 that assessed pilot trust in tactical autonomy. 

"When flying next to a jet-powered aircraft that is controlled by onboard autonomy, you definitely have thought about trust in its behavior," Schnell said. Through very detailed simulation and ground-based rehearsals, the OPL team could gain trust in the FJ autonomy and this was an essential building block when operating in proximity to those FJs. "This was a truly remarkable effort of a highly talented team of engineers, developers, programmers, and pilots and I am honored that OPL was able to be a part of it."