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Advanced / Transformational Technology

Heron Systems Wins Crown in DARPA AlphaDogfight Trials

Frank Wolfe

Thursday, August 20th, 2020

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Heron Systems Wins Crown in DARPA AlphaDogfight Trials

Heron Systems, Inc.'s AI agent, "Falco," kills the simulated F-16 piloted by an elite pilot and graduate of the F-16 Weapons Instructor Course.

Heron Systems Inc. took first place in the third and final competition in DARPA’s AlphaDogfight trials (ADT) on Aug 20 between artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled F-16 simulators and U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps pilots. Founded in 1993, Heron is a small AI firm located near Patuxent Naval Air Station, Md. To win the final round, Heron's AI agent, "Falco," took out in five separate dogfights an F-16 simulator helmed by "Banger," an elite F-16 pilot, a graduate of the…

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