Antipolo Magazine 2020 On January 30, 2019, Roger Tanner and Bill Gray piloted the Variable Stability In-Flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA) from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, to Edwards Air Force Base following modifications and a new paint scheme. The aircraft was redesignated from NF-16D to X-62A on June 14, 2021 (U.S. Air Force photo by Christian Turner). Recently, U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall flew aboard an experimental F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jet equipped with artificial intelligence. This development has raised concerns for the People’s Republic of China, as AI-piloted combat aircraft could offer superior capabilities and faster response times compared to human-piloted planes. Notably, this is not the first instance of testing an AI-controlled aircraft. In mid-April, the experimental X-62A VISTA, based on an F-16 fighter and used for AI testing, participated in simulated aerial combat against other F-16 fighters of the United States Air Force. These simulati
PH & CHINA - The Philippines stops China's purported construction of 'artificial island' in the West Philippine Sea.
Antipolo Magazine 2020 Photo from PCG The Philippines has successfully halted China's alleged efforts to construct an artificial island in the West Philippine Sea. This move underscores the ongoing territorial disputes and tensions in the region, as both nations assert their claims over the strategically important waters. The prevention of this construction reflects the Philippines' commitment to protecting its maritime sovereignty and maintaining regional stability. Through continuous efforts, the Philippine government has successfully halted China's alleged illegal activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), specifically at Escoda Shoal. During a press forum on Saturday, May 11, 2024, Commodore Jay Tarriela, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the WPS, reported that China had been attempting to construct an "artificial island" at Escoda Shoal, located just 75 nautical miles from the Palawan coastline. " They are using corals as fill mat