FPP207 - Flying with the Algorithm: AI, Trust, and the F-35
23 January 2026

FPP207 - Flying with the Algorithm: AI, Trust, and the F-35

Fighter Pilot Podcast

About

What happens when artificial intelligence starts sharing cockpit responsibilities?

On this episode, US Air Force Lt Col Raven “Rost” LeClair—F-35 Lightning II test pilot, squadron commander, and autonomy specialist—breaks down how AI is actually being integrated into 5th-generation fighters. We discuss what “human-machine teaming” looks like from the pilot’s seat, how trust in automation is built (and broken), and why the next leap in airpower depends more on judgment, training, and culture than raw hardware.



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