[Gunrunner2]

Fine new technology.

J-UCAV is a great step in unmanned systems. Phantom Works at Boeing (in IDS) is the technology lead.

It will be best used as a strike platform, not a fighter. It will be sent on missions to destroy high-value targets that are heavily defended. . .thereby saving crews for more fluid situations and less tricky targets.

Programmable and with a "smart" ability to operate independently make this a very versatile system. It may also be programmed in flight. . .another great leap.

Like the system but do not see for generations to come any threat to manned systems.

As I've said before, until you can field an unmanned tank that is able to operate easily in a 2-D, 1-G, 20 knot ground environment, there is not much to worry about when it comes to fielding a unmanned aircraft operating in a 3-D, multi-G, hyper-sonic, multi-threat environment.

Learn to crawl first, then run.

[airborne]

No mention in the article on cost. Won't be assessed till 2007, which means, if it follows SOP, it won't be ready till 2020.