Dassault Aviation tests AI algorithms on Rafale fighter jet

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September 22, 2026 8:11 AM EDT

FILE PHOTO: A Dassault Rafale C fighter jet is seen on the tarmac at Montoir-de-Bretagne Airport near Saint-Nazaire as part of ORION 26, a high-intensity warfare exercise, France, February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo

By Florence Loeve

PARIS, Sept ‌22 (Reuters) - French planemaker ​Dassault ​Aviation has flight-tested two new AI algorithms on its Rafale fighter jet, it said on Tuesday, in the latest ‌sign of efforts by arms companies to incorporate the ⁠technology into future weapons systems.

The move comes as France prepares for the next generation ‌of fighter jets or ‌potential upgrades after the collapse of a Franco-German project with Airbus this year, and as Europe seeks greater autonomy in defence.

Dassault said it ​had tested an algorithm developed by its own engineers and a second one developed in collaboration with French defence technology group ⁠Thales. The two companies already cooperate on France's independent Rafale.

Dassault did not give details of ​the tests or the role of the algorithms, but described them as part of a broader initiative to integrate ​AI in support of human crews.

"They ‌have reached a level of maturity that makes them eligible for future Rafale upgrades," the company said.

Arms companies ⁠worldwide are experimenting with AI to help pilots to make faster decisions and coordinate with uncrewed 'wingman' drones designed to fly alongside conventional jets.

Sweden's Saab said ⁠last year that it had conducted combat testing of a Gripen E warplane ​flown by AI against a real fighter pilot as it explores concepts for the next generation of combat jets.

In 2024, the Secretary of the US Air ‌Force flew in a modified F-16 jet fitted with machine learning supplied by Shield AI to demonstrate ‌the ability of AI to enter aerial battle with a crewed F-16.

Dassault ⁠has said it is capable ‌of working on its ​own fighter jet while remaining open to cooperation with new partners.

(Reporting by Florence LoèveEditing by Tim Hepher and ‌David Goodman)


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