The question isn’t how much we like the daily beast, but how much of a failure is this fighter and this program. Is it, or isn’t it.
If it is a failure it adds weight to the argument that we don’t need manned fighters at all.
That is what I think we should start moving to right now. they would be smaller, or the same size with more and better weapons.
“If it is a failure it adds weight to the argument that we don’t need manned fighters at all.”
Necessity being the mother of invention and Israel having some of the best drone technology, I’d guess the next middle east war will be the one to end manned aircraft as battle weapons. It would not surprise me if Israel currently has a major strike force that’s entirely robotic.
We, on the other hand, are preparing to fight an updated World War Two areal war.
Another thing that may go away is unquestioned air superiority. With enough tiny and stealthy drones it’s almost certain that some will be where you least want them. This was one thought behind the large tanks becoming obsolete. Tanks require a huge fuel logistics footprint and without air dominance you can’t protect those tankers. A little suicide drone is all that’s needed to stop the tanks.