[Bobby777]

see ... I knew you'd have something to say ... 8)

I could see long-range robot patrol aircraft, high-G capability, heavy on jamming, spoofing, decoy systems, armed with the best automous radar / autonomous heat-seeking missiles deplyed say, 300nm out from a battle group ... removing pilot fatigue, vertigo, shape for low radar return (probably have to bring weapons inboard, but that limits the load) ... these birds, like current jets, could downlink the enemy's position from high-detail RORSAT's like the Navy's Ocean Surveillance satellites ...

of course, I wouldn't want to take pilots out of the loop ... keep 'em closer to the battle group ... maybe 150nm ... just tossing out some ideas ...

of course, I think the biggest threat during total war to a carrier is an SSGN submarine with nuclear cruise missiles ...

for combat close-support, I wouldn't want anything but a pilot in a plane ... mistakes have been made, but compared to the number of sorties, they're low ... I'd hate to be fighting it out on the ground hoping the drones could differentiate between me and the enemy in close quarters ...

FiletMignonware ... good one ...

[Bobby777]

automous radar

s/b autonomous radar (guided)

[Pukin Dog]

see ... I knew you'd have something to say ... 8)

Yeah, you seem to know what subjects piss me off.