The US Navy and Boeing announced Monday they had flown two fighter jets in exercises under the control of a third jet nearby, proving that multiple pilotless combat missions can be run from a separate aircraft. In experimental tests late last year at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station southeast of Washington, the Navy and Boeing sent two EA-18G Growlers through 21 distinct missions during four flights, with each aircraft being controlled from a third EA-16 nearby. The two “unmanned” or “surrogate” Growlers did have backup pilots in them for safety, but otherwise flew as if the pilot’s seat was empty, while someone in the third plane manuevered them remotely.
