Next step Skynet....Manned vs Unmanned Aviation

[WVUBetaHornet]

I can only imagine the kind of rivalries and friction going on between the UAV pilots and the conventional pilots in the USAF.

I was just thinkin about that...it's gonna start all new communal controversies.

 

[HeyJoe]

I can only imagine the kind of rivalries and friction going on between the UAV pilots and the conventional pilots in the USAF.

You're assuming they are separate communities when they aren't exactly that. They're taking combat rated F-16 and F-15 pilots for their experience for a tour in Predators. Not all stay there. Navy tends to keep aviators in same community whereas that is not always the case in USAF. Guard units tend to stay with same platform and folks can go their whole career in a single platform and unit like the Maryland A-10 gang, but others may transition form time to time. Just ask Swanee about his favorite F-16 turned A-10 unit at Syracuse. The Guard will be picking up some Predator units and those folks will be a UAV community; likely for the long term. But remember, to meet FAA restrictions in particular, USAF mandates rated aviators at the controls (unlike Army) so they have to come from a cockpit and ideally one where they pulled a trigger. Question is whether they return to one after their initial tour.

 

[xnvyflyer]

[FONT=Verdana,Sans-serif]"It's an attack squadron, with a lot more kinetic ability."

Good one.
[/FONT]

 

[jus2mch]

Very interesting development. I'd like to see how they'll be employed.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070715/D8QD61V80.html

Here is the Navy version

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/07/defense_ucas_070713/

 

[skidz]

Why don't they use this technology on more straight and level flying like their -135s and -17s?

 

[HeyJoe]

Here is the Navy version

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/07/defense_ucas_070713/

Not quite. UCAS-D is a UCAV that is coming out of the truncated J-UCAS program that is a high end UCAV comparable to speed, range and payload to exsting TACAIR. The Air Force was "driving" the J-UCAS effort, but pulled out after their variant, the X-45 flew. The Navy's variant, the X-47, is now competing with the X-45 for the UCAS-D award this fall. This is a whole level above the Predator and will be capable of flight deck operations potentially replaced manned aircraft in the carrier air wing. That Ready Room will be interesting to see and how CO and pilots integrate into air wing.

 

[jus2mch]

Not quite. UCAS-D is a UCAV that is coming out of the truncated J-UCAS program that is a high end UCAV comparable to speed, range and payload to exsting TACAIR. The Air Force was "driving" the J-UCAS effort, but pulled out after their variant, the X-45 flew. The Navy's variant, the X-47, is now competing with the X-45 for the UCAS-D award this fall. This is a whole level above the Predator and will be capable of flight deck operations potentially replaced manned aircraft in the carrier air wing. That Ready Room will be interesting to see and how CO and pilots integrate into air wing.

Do you know if they plan on extending that program more toward the Pilot or NFO? Will it be an option at flight school or will they only use fleet aviators?

 

[HeyJoe]

Do you know if they plan on extending that program more toward the Pilot or NFO? Will it be an option at flight school or will they only use fleet aviators?

Really good question and I do not know the answer, but I'll see if I can find out.

 

[A4sForever]

And the UCAV pilot and/or NFO "drivers" will be a great addition to any Liberty party, too .... .... bottoms up!!!

 

[usmarinemike]

Where the hell do you keep getting these pics A4s!?

 

[A4sForever]

Where the hell do you keep getting these pics A4s!?

Mostly from my high school yearbook .... the rest my Mother took when I was growing up ...

 

[Shakey]

...This is a whole level above the Predator and will be capable of flight deck operations potentially replaced manned aircraft in the carrier air wing. That Ready Room will be interesting to see and how CO and pilots integrate into air wing.

God I hope they whole airwing dosn't go unmanned. Naval Aviation's cool factor would take a power dive.

 

[bert]

In the end, unmanned will be cheaper than manned. That will drive a lot of decisions in what aviators think of as unfortunate directions.

 

[Shakey]

In the end, unmanned will be cheaper than manned. That will drive a lot of decisions in what aviators think of as unfortunate directions.

Understood. But still, I didn't join the World's Finest Navy to fly "toasters." (Sorry for the geeky SciFi reference).

 

[bert]

I try not to be the guy who is happy because he already "got his". But UAVs can make that hard sometimes when you picture military aviation 20 years down the road....