Drones have a role. So do fighters.
Drones are the path to the future. Maybe the fighter sales folks are hyping this deal, but I don’t believe there will be any more fighters after this current generation....it’ll all go to drones. In 20 years, fighter-pilots will be 18 to 20 year old ‘gamer-kids’ who mostly sit in darkened trailers in New Mexico, and fly off in foreign lands.
” in New Mexico “
IDK.
The speed of light could make that too far.
Even if the ‘drones’ have an AI subconscious ‘nerve system’, their conscious responses will have to happen quickly.
Maybe new airships will be elusive fast drone controllers and smart bombers. So we have less dependance on the obstacles which can occur from half a world away. Solar flares, drone killers, emp weapons, thunderstorms, birds, jammers,etc....
As early as 1995-96.
Clearly that seems to be the case, but I wonder about their vulnerabilities. If they are controlled remotely, disrupting/jamming the signal could render them useless. Alternatively, if they are made to be autonomous (like a cruise missile), they will have to be very, very intricately programmed - and we will be giving the power over life and death/friend or foe to autonomous flying machines.
Drones have a role. So do fighters.
More likely paid to stay in their basements and fly them.