In as little as 10 years, Combat aircrew will manage a complex array of airborne weapons systems, often operated remotely or even autonomously that are optimised to take all but the most complex or lethal decision making tasks away from the operator. Systems management, analytical problem solving and timely, effective, decision making will be the key competences of the air minded war fighter, be they controlling weapons systems from the air, on the ground or from space.
So what of the flying instructor?
As a former RAF fast jet pilot and flying instructor, the author has appreciated at first hand the importance of the individual being taught handling skills, tactical knowledge and airborne proficiency based on the long held fundamentals of ‘airmanship’.
With the ability for future platforms to fly autonomously, will the traditional skills of a ‘pilot instructor’ become obsolete? As performance focuses more on mental agility, flexibility, adaptability and speed of mental processing power, what will be the role of the future flying instructor? Can Artificial Intelligence provide the means for developing these key aircrew cognitive skills?
Drawing upon valuable feedback and insight from the current generation of aircrew within the authors training services, this paper will explore the aspects of human performance relevant to future combat aircrew and ask whether Artificial Intelligence and new training technologies can provide the solution to their future training needs. It will consider how excellence in aircrew performance can be achieved and enable a deeper understanding of the benefits and limitations of both human and technological training capabilities.
Finally, if Artificial Intelligent Instruction becomes common place, the paper will explore the challenges this may create in maintaining a minimum viable number of real humans who are suitably qualified and experienced.