Dear San Diego Aerospace Community,
The AIAA San Diego section invites you to attend a great lecture organized by the San Diego State University student branch. This talk will discuss how X-planes paved the way for modern autonomous aircraft. We hope to see you there!
Date: Thursday, April 16th, 2026
Time: 6 PM
Location: SDSU, Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA), Room 310
Cost: Free!
Parking: 10 spots have been reserved on the top floor of Parking Structure 1. They will be marked with A-frame signs
Abstract:
Autonomous capabilities have existed in aircraft since the beginning of heavier-than-air flight, and experimental vehicles known as X-planes have played a major role in advancing these technologies. This presentation explores several of these aircraft and how their autonomous features improved system safety, survivability, combat capability, and mission effectiveness. Examples include the X-31 developed through the U.S.-German X-31 Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability Program, which demonstrated thrust-vectoring, helmet-mounted displays, and controlled flight at extremely high angles of attack. Additional examples come from the Unmanned Combat Air Systems Program, including the Boeing X-45A and Northrop Grumman X-47B, which demonstrated autonomous team operations, carrier landings, aerial refueling, and advanced damage-tolerant control technologies.
Speaker:
Dr. Michael Francis is an aerospace executive and technologist with over 50 years of experience leading advanced research and technology programs across government, industry, and academia. He currently works as an independent consultant, author, and educator. He recently co-authored the textbook The Anatomy of Autonomy, published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in September 2025, and an online short course based on the book will be presented in April 2026. He is widely known for pioneering work in unmanned air systems, including initiating the original Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle program while serving at Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in the early 1990s. During his Air Force career, he also directed the award-winning X-31 Enhanced Fighter Maneuverability Program through its flight test phase and later led the $4.5B Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems Program. After retiring from a 27-year career in the United States Air Force, he held executive and technical leadership roles in the aerospace industry with companies including Aurora Flight Sciences, Lockheed Martin, General Atomics, and United Technologies Corporation. Dr. Francis holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder and is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.