U.S. military eyes Japan's participation in autonomous aircraft program

Air Force secretary says it's 'quite clear' China trying to counter American power

U.S. and Japanese planes conduct a defense training exercise in the Indo-Pacific region in 2020. (U.S. Air Force via Reuters)

RYO NAKAMURA, Nikkei staff writer

January 26, 2024 02:36 JST

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. is ready to work with Japan to develop artificial intelligence-piloted autonomous aircraft for the Air Force, a top official says, as sharing of advanced technology emerges as a priority area of cooperation for the allies.

Japan will participate in an American program to develop next-generation drones known as collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) "at some point," U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall told Nikkei Asia in a phone interview Tuesday.