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Posted on 06/28/2024 12:50:07 PM PDT by Jonty30
The biggest concern for the US Air Force is if takes over 15 years to build its full order of even just 100 B-21 Raiders then the new stealth bomber could be outdated before the last get made. Technology is increasing at a rapid rate. Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, quantum computers, autonomous systems, etc. – are evolving constantly, and many of the current platforms could likely be obsolete by the time the platforms reach full-rate production (FRP).
Autonomous wingman drones could be made faster, at lower cost which would enable a constantly updated fleet.
Despite secrecy and security measures, only 24-30 B-21s are expected to be operational in the next decade, leading to concerns about adequate numbers for potential conflicts with China and Russia.
(Excerpt) Read more at nextbigfuture.com ...
“Makes sense. By the time you build one B-21, you probably could have produced a drone that is 5 generations advanced.”
And have actually manufactured over a thousand of them.
Now the DoD has to study the s#!t out of everything for decades then decide they didn't want it anyhow.
The Russians and Chinese take an existing design then continually modify it, new evolutions of fighters every couple of years.
More MIC bait-n-switch. The norm for decades now - amazing technology and capability, significant numbers to justify the unit cost, then just when production starts - ‘oh no, we don’t have the money to spend on production and putting into service...’ Cut the numbers to ‘save money’, unit price skyrockets, it’s too expensive... “Hey, look at this newest toy!”
Damn them all - they’ve destroyed what they claim to be protecting, impoverishing the taxpayers for generations to come.
How many advanced fighters are the Chinese building and why or why not? Same for the Russian?
China claims new radar can spot US’ stealthy F-22s 65,000 times better
https://interestingengineering.com/military/china-radar-stealth-f-22
India Claims It Has Tracked China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter On Radar
Maybe they have the technology to see “stealth” and realize it’s not worth the cost.
Drones made fighter jets and pilot training obsolete twenty years ago. The Pentagon just would not believe it.
Considering the AF view that Pilots are the top of the spear and indispensable, this is very odd.
Drones only go so far. B-52’s. They’re at Beale AFB, Ca. The range is classified. Yokota AB in Japan is there for a reason. I think they could go there and back with the KC-135’s help.
Drones would have to be prepositioned. Which allies are gonna flake out when the heat is on? I don’t think Poland and the Baltic are amongst them. I say give a few to Ukraine and let them do their unfinished business with Belarus.
Just yesterday, I read a story that hinted the Air Force could drop the NGAD fighter. There is no reforming the acquisition system that can fix this.
Drones have shown to be highly effective during the Ukraine/Russia conflict. They are likely to significantly alter the battlefield doctrine.
Ten protesters were arrested at Creech Air Force Base [Nevada] on 2 October 2019. The base is home to drone operators who pilot drones for both the U.S. military and the CIA in missions across Afghanistan and the Middle East.
FYI: Drone operators at Creech are responsible for the destruction of more enemy planes than the pilots who were trained by the various air forces.
Stupid decision. Field lasers (ready in 2 years) will make mincemeat of any drone. Air power, aside the Warthog, will cease in five years.
Aside armored air vehicles all air power will go the way of soldiers standing in lines across a field firing muskets at each other while the other side is doing the same and lobbing cannon balls.
What’s old is new again. Rinse and repeat.
*FYI: Drone operators at Creech are responsible for the destruction of more enemy planes than the pilots who were trained by the various air forces.*
Gotta be nerds-am I right?
I’d make sure those guys who are alone on Saturday nights are getting laid.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have limitations that these militaries don't want to share, including connectivity. What no one also wants to share is how frequently military aircraft fly Partially Mission Capable (PMC) whereas UAVs require being Fully Mission Capable (FMC) or very close to it.
...and coders will never beat a skilled pilot with critical decision-making skills.
It is designed to keep people employed in key congressional districts.
It is much better to piss away those hundreds of billions of dollars in Ukraine to protect its borders.
Let’s be frank; a sixteen year old with a joystick can outperform a fighter jock, nine times out of ten. Sad but true.
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