Fighter Pilots Blacked Out From Gs, Got Saved by AI Co-Pilot

This control system saved two lives last year when pilots lost their consciousness.

Passed Out

On two separate occasions last year, Air Force F-16 fighter jet pilots flying over Nevada lost their consciousness. Both would have faced certain death if it wasn't for sophisticated software that took over control, Popular Science reports.

The pilots lost their consciousness after experiencing high Gs, an occurrence otherwise known as G-LOC (G-force induced loss of consciousness), while operating in the area surrounding the Nevada Test and Training Range — a striking illustration of the growing power of autopilot technology.

Avoiding Collisions

Luckily, the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (AGCAS) took over when both pilots lost consciousness when their jets were flying at just 2,600 and 4,000 feet above ground level, respectively.

"AGCAS is credited with saving the pilots’ lives," Air Force Safety Center assured PopSci. "In both incidents, the pilots were able to regain consciousness during the AGCAS pull-up and they assisted in the recovery of the aircraft; however, their actions alone would not have been in time to prevent collision with the ground."

The system takes the speed, altitude, and flight paths of the aircraft into account before taking over flight control. In simple terms, the system knows if the jet is going to crash into the ground and rectifies the flight path to avoid catastrophe.

Saving Lives

Not all G-LOC events cause the AGCAS system to kick in. Last year, only two out of eight G-LOC events ended in the system taking over, according to PopSci.

It's a stark reminder of the inherent — and obvious — risks of flying a fighter jet. Luckily, software enhancements is now able to save lives when the human body is pushed beyond its limits.

Besides, if recent advancements in artificial intelligence are anything to go by, humans will no longer need to sit in the pilot's seat in the near-to-medium term future.

READ MORE: Two fighter pilots passed out over Nevada last year. Software saved them both. [Popular Science]

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