[Jeff Gordon]

Remote Piloting looks to be able to soon relegate many stand-off “weapons platforms” like the F-22 and B-2 to standby duty, and ready reserve

Remotely piloted and auto piloted are wonderful weapons systems. They are cheap, precise and they do not put a friendly human at risk. Their problem is .....

They rely upon satellites. Satellites that may suddenly disappear in a real shooting war. Of course the F-22, B-2 and all those smart bombs also rely upon satellites.

[April Lexington]

I really can't comment on the efficacy of the F-22 vs any other system. But... think about putting the 700,000 people who lost their jobs LAST WEEK to work designing and building the next system necessary to keep America safe. Now THAT would be a jobs program worth supporting... 5.73 million Americans should be able to come up with one heck of a fighter plane.

[TalonDJ]

Of course the F-22, B-2 and all those smart bombs also rely upon satellites.

Maybe. I could say more but then I would have to kill you.

[HalfFull]

They rely upon satellites. Satellites that may suddenly disappear in a real shooting war. Of course the F-22, B-2 and all those smart bombs also rely upon satellites.

Sadly, you are right. First thing the Chicoms or Ruskies do in a real war is kill our satelites. If we ignore conventional warfighting capabilities, we do so at our own peril.