Air Force officials say the stealthy-looking Valkyrie could be configured for both surveillance and attack missions. Here's What You Need To Remember: The aircraft already coordinate with drones to some extent - but the key difference is that, for the first time, they can be controlled through the aircraft itself, rather than relaying instructions through ground crews. The U.S. Air Force’s “loyal wingman” plan for piloted fighter jets to control nearby drones took a large step forward recently. On December 9, a rocket-launched Valkyrie drone took off with an F-22 and F-35 together, a maneuver laying the groundwork for the fast-approaching day when fifth-generation stealth aircraft can control groups of nearby drones from the cockpit.