The University of Iowa's Operator Performance Laboratory continues to be a go-to flight test center to support the evolution of human-machine teaming. OPL recently hosted collaborators from Lockheed Martin for a demonstration. 

Lockheed prepared a summary about the work. 

Watch Skunk Works® demonstrate human‑machine teaming with University of Iowa’s Operator Performance Lab. In a live‑flight test, a quarterback aircraft commanded two surrogate combat collaborative aircraft (CCA) from a tablet‑based interface. The autonomous wingmen launched, ran combat air patrol, engaged virtual threats and returned to base — all under autonomous control. The data collected during these tests is a step closer to reliable, multi‑vehicle autonomy that can safely operate alongside piloted systems. This milestone showcases how autonomous solutions can cut pilot workload, ultimately benefiting the warfighter.

Learn more about Autonomy and Uncrewed Systems.