UAVs, not just an Air Force gig anymore

I didn't know any "Asian Communists" ... but absent a land war, the ChiComs were kinda chump-change back then .... we considered them as 'targets', more than 'opponents' ... I actually thought I could 'survive' a SIOP target in China.

I gotta' tell you ... if the balloon had ever gone up w/ the Rooskies ... we figured we'd be cashin' in our frequent flyer miles as there wouldn't be a BOAT to come back to ....

Thaaaaa's why my B/N and I had an alternative plan: launch off USS BOAT, immediately jettison the nuke on safe, fly-by the ship and wave while steering a new course on our way south to our SIOP pre-planned 'secret' tropical isle stocked w/ beaucoup Mai'Tai's and hordes of hula-inclined wenches of da' best kine' ....

Could make sure the CIWS was working early

Or, you get there and these guys are waiting for you:

I read an article in the Washington Post this morning about UAV's, where the technology is headed and some of the issues they are having with them. It was a pretty interesting read and like stated in above comments talked about the % of AF pilots actually flying UAVs right now vs actual manned aircraft (big numbers). The article mentioned a platform that would allow for ~5yrs of nonstop flight, however a big problem it mentioned with that is advancing air defense capabilities and possiblities of higher numbers of downed UAVs. It was also noted at as the technology increases more issues are encountered with data transfer, which seems to be a common but fixable problem. Thought those were some interesting points from the article as well as it mentioning Air to Air combat in the future, as UAV's cannot account for the 360 degree awareness that the human brain allows for.

It's like guys cock-blocking each other for the ugly chick.

That explains that "working hard to unman the front lines" recruiting commercial I saw for the Navy today.

Future Thunderbirds

One of my coworkers couldn't pass this up...

Just returned from a deployment to the PI with Scan Eagle UAV onboard the ship. Pretty good system. The FLIR is not cooled so it can provide great color video during the day but sucks at night.
As for UAVs taking over naval aviation, helo pilots will always have a job. When you tell me who the first Admiral is who be willing to ride in a UAV during a Log Run, then I'll show you the last helo pilot.
A buddy's daughter just dropped out of USAF flight school; it seems that about 50% of each class is going to UAV training...

she dropped out because she didn't want to fly UAV's? I dunno, sounds like pretty weak cheese to me. Still a better gig than handing out basketballs at the gym or whatever they do with their attrites.

I was thinking the same, if that is the case. Reminds me of the guys that DOR when selected for E-2s out of p'cola.

She dropped because she didn't want the 10 year committment for flight school and then never flying. She swapped over to be an Admin Officer for 5 years to fullfill her Academy committment.

Do the 50% who get UAVs never move on to a "real" airframe?

Guys who have gone through pilot training keep the pilot designator (AFSC) (they are starting up a non-rated UAV career track/allowing navs to fly them). The initial promise for those taken out of cockpits was that they would be allowed back into the air after 1 tour; however as with many military promises that was soon broken with UAV tours being extended. Those who have never had an actual airframe will probably be behind those who were prior pilots since after 5 years out of their previous aircraft they will no longer be able to go to a refresher course and have to go back through the FTU (RAG) again.

Disclaimer: along with everything UAV this could change biweekly.

Yeah, because 10 years of enjoying work is totally worth 5 years of absolute lameness. I've heard guys who would have rather punched than do their disassoc. tour. Good...I don't want them "serving" with me anyway. :icon_rage

Little harsh, don't you think? You make your career choices, let other people make their own.

It's okay, Chunks has drunk deeply of the kool-aid and is still reeling from the buzz. (smiles)

Barring some major changes, if she's talking about getting a UAV straight out of UPT, then she's heard bad gouge. For the past year or so, each class of around 25 assignable students has been getting 1-3 UAVs, and we're hearing that will stay pretty steady throughout the near future. About the only big change to UPT for FY10 is the T-38 students now are universally assignable, rather than strictly Fighter/Bomber track.

chucksjr, I'm up here at the Navy War College; just showed the T-Birds picture to the Air Force Officers up here...
Some of them are not seeing the humor that is obvious to us wearing gold wings!!!

Great photo!!!

Think of it like screening for a sense of humor. Now, if one of them comes back to you with a Firescout in a Blue Angel paint job, well then that guy might be your new drinkin' buddy...

HC-16 (P'cola SAR Unit) in the early 90's did a video called the Blue Bubbas. They had a Huey painted up like a Blue Angle and did some pretty cool computer graphics (for the early 90's; now they are comically bad) of the helos doing rolls, loops, back flips and then it cuts to the car chase scene from Blues Brothers where you can see the nose and skids of the Huey.
It end with the HC-16 guys in blue flight suits with fedoras and wayfarer glasses flipping off the Blue Angle A-4 in front of the P'cola O'Club.
It was one of the funniest NHA movies ever!!
I have it on VHS, I gotta see how I can covert it digital and share with the AW crowd.

HC-16 also used to be a Phrog FRS. Madness.

Fair enuf. Sure, I prescribe to a more romantic ideal of service above self. But when people whine about their occupation and their boo hoo problems that have resulted from their own doing (ie, Sure I'll take your taxpayer $$ for school) and miss on the really great parts of serving another, it's really REALLY annoying. So in that way I think they can just STFU...

But that's just my HO. And by H, I mean the "right" opinion.