Got this in the email this morning. Mothballed F16's being converted to target drones and flown remotely for dogfight training. Don't know how old it is, but I'm surprised it's taken this long to do it. I'm pretty sure it's not just to train pilots in a more realistic environment, but to perfect the technology for pilotless fighter aircraft as well.
http://video.boeing.com/services/player/bcpid1173939806001?bckey=AQ~~%2cAAAAukPAlqE~%2coAVq1qtdRjwBrIkHYj2MSytJiEK9s5fy&bclid=0&bctid=2684464741001 (http://video.boeing.com/services/player/bcpid1173939806001?bckey=AQ~~%2cAAAAukPAlqE~%2coAVq1qtdRjwBrIkHYj2MSytJiEK9s5fy&bclid=0&bctid=2684464741001)
How long will it take before the "drones" become the aggressor? It can do 9G turns until the cows come home, while a pilot can only do it for a few seconds. Future fighter pilots may find themselves as a squadron commander of drones; being more of a co-ordinator/observer, going into the fray as a last resort. Then eventually no pilots at all. Kinda scary.
We are probably in the midst of the biggest transformation of aviation since we took to the air over a century ago. Predator drones are one thing, but pilotless squadrons bring up those images of SkyNet. :shok:
I have a brother who works at the NASA research centre out of Langley AFB in VA, and he said they've been experimenting with remote helicopters for quite some time, (amongst some other cool stuff). So if you know anyone who desires to be a fighter pilot, tell them they better make it quick as the openings will eventually become fewer and fewer.
Think of the cost of war...set aside the human factor for a moment...consider the $$$
Now, think about the millions of dollars invested in each fighter pilot...forget about the hard costs (plane) just think of the soft costs. The college education, training, the physical endurance reqs., room and board and salary, ground school, countless hours in the flight simulators and in seat flying...
Now, think about what is lost when we lose a pilot.
You've described the limitations inherent in a piloted aircraft, all the environmental equipment needed eating up weight and space, and the limitations on the performance envelope for a plane piloted by a human.
Yes, I believe combat drones are the wave of the future, from a performance and cost (hard and soft) standpoint.
I fear the Achellies heel with drones, the lack of autonomy and independent judgement. The (over?) reliance on a secure communications network....one well placed EMP by our enemy or disabling of our global satellite network and what would happen?
Hard to fly with your eyes closed...