Are fighters necessary anymore? If battles are taking place beyond the vision of the pilot and he is operating from cockpit displays, he should be in a room in Topeka instead of in the plane.
The pilot is the limiting factor in the manueverability of the plane and his protection and survivability is the cause of much of the cost and complexity of the plane.
Imagine a force of 1000 unmanned planes attacking with 100 of them piloted by the top aces. The next 900 have junior pilots (or autopilot) bringing them toward the battle for replacement of the ones lost out of the first group.
Between intense battles, pilots can go to the restroom or take coffee breaks while others bring their planes back or take it toward the scene of the next battle.
Imagine the 21-year-old gamers who could dominate at this type of battle (with no risk of becoming POWs.)
I would suggest that you are probably far, far closer to the (future) truth than you even imagine, my friend.
So your saying with chicoms industrial capacity they should be able to outproduce us
sweet