Engineers completed 27 autonomous intercepts across eight sorties using the X-62A Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft, better known as VISTA. Infrared guides autonomy The tests centered on a sensor package known as the Legion Pod, which tracked a live T-38 aircraft during flight. Using live sensor feeds exposes autonomous software to the same type of information military pilots encounter during real missions. Lockheed Martin also said its engineers completed AI integration, software validation and ground testing in roughly three months. That would allow aircrews to spend more attention on tactical decision-making while autonomous software handles time-sensitive actions.