Air Force Test Center Command Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Martin and AFTC Commander Maj. Gen. Scott Cain take a closer look at a 3-D printed unmanned aerial system model during a visit at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The visit highlighted collaboration with the Defense Contract Management Agency through DCMA’s “Game of Drones” event, a series of advanced war games focused on developing and testing autonomous drone technologies to explore the future of aerial combat.

That work tracks with national strategy’s emphasis on investing in the technologies that will shape future military power, including AI and autonomous systems, and adapting to the real-world cost challenge exposed by low-cost drones versus expensive defenses