1. Take out the pilots
We already have a turboprop-based, pilotless aircraft that does well in counter-insurgency, and costs much less than a jet. It's called the Predator:
Love the low-cost COIN aircraft ideas, but....if we’re doing to props, then mightn’t we look even further ahead..?
1. Take out the pilots
2. Make it air-2-air refuel capable —keep it on-station for days, maybe a week...
3. Provide for very secure FAC commo
4. Exploit the new advances in 70mm guided rockets; 4 for every hellfire —that could be 64 guided weapons on one UAV platform.
5. Explore feasibility of low-cost remote 50-cal weapon on UAV, or 30 mm (think very small unmanned AC130 substitute)
Predator!
We already have a turboprop-based, pilotless aircraft that does well in counter-insurgency, and costs much less than a jet. It's called the Predator: