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US Modifying F-16s for Autonomous Flight But VENOM Aircraft Will "Never Fly Without Human Component" Three USAF F-16 fighter jets recently arrived at Eglin Air Force Base's flight test facilities for modifications as part of the VENOM-AFT program. "It’s important to understand the ‘human-on-the-loop’ aspect of this type of testing, meaning that a pilot will be involved in the autonomy in real-time and maintain the ability to start and stop specific algorithms," Lt. Col. Joe Gagnon, 85th TES Commander said. However, Gagnon clarified that "there will never be a time when the VENOM aircraft will solely ‘fly by itself’ without a human component."