The exercise featured a human-piloted F-22 Raptor issuing real-time commands to the MQ-20 drone, which responded by carrying out a range of mission tasks.
The service said integrating third-party autonomous software is a major step on developing drones that can fly themselves alongside jets like the F-35.
The Air Force is changing in-residence intermediate and senior developmental education for active-duty service members as part of a broader policy review.