One more reason why there will always be manned helicopters....

[helolumpy]

Imagine being the officer who has to explain to the Admiral why the pax run in the UAV self-destructed in flight and they need to launch a SAR bird...
Regardless of technology, when it comes to ferrying people around the fleet, leadership will always want a pilot at the controls rather than someone on a keyboard miles away!

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011...-leads-unmanned-navy-copter-to-self-destruct/

 

[KBayDog]

The MQ-8B Fire Scout failed 10 of 10 test missions at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., as well.

I guess the MQ-8B didn't go to marinegouge.com before the tests?

No such glitches on stick-and-rudder, KBay-piloted choppers.

 

[CWJones411]

Oh, if I had a nickel every time I accidentally hit the self-destruct button on my aircraft.

 

[fattestfoot]

You all are such drama queens. If an antenna breaks, it's only on average a 67 min delay in the mission. Nothing happens in 67 minutes. You'll all be out of a job in 5 years, replaced by our new robotic overlords.

 

[KBayDog]

You'll all be out of a job in 5 years, replaced by our new robotic overlords.

I, for one, welcome our new...ah, forget it.

 

[helolumpy]

I, for one, welcome our new...ah, forget it.

If they look like Kristanna Loken in T3, then I'm looking forward to the new robotic overlords

 

[KBayDog]

While that's a nice thought, I'm more focused on the "being out of a job in five years" part of fattestfoot's post.

 

[MasterBates]

I wonder if I can get a job as a MQ-8B "pilot". I have plenty of experience launching late for MX off of small decks.

 

[helolumpy]

Sorry, MB, once you crossed over to the world of non-swing-wing aircraft you have stepped away from the light!
The MQ-8B will be for the 1% that can't complete the HT's.....

 

[KBayDog]

The MQ-8B will be for the 1% that can't complete the HT's.....

Nah, it'll be for winged Aviators...and, thus, another way to take pilots out of the cockpit for an extended period of time.

(Provided that it doesn't keep busting the DC ADIZ, crashing, self-destructing, landing in the middle of shopping malls, etc. )

 

[scoolbubba]

Do you still get flight penetrated..ahem..violated if you're not actually in the drone that is busting the ADIZ/TFR?

 

[jt71582]

I'm sure you probably do. They take your xbox controller away.

 

[jt71582]

landing in the middle of shopping malls, etc. )

I walked in, swam through all the A-schoolers in their peanut butters, looked up and said "oh HELLLLL no."

 

[Pags]

Sorry, MB, once you crossed over to the world of non-swing-wing aircraft you have stepped away from the light!
The MQ-8B will be for the 1% that can't complete the HT's.....

...or for those assigned to HSC/HSM squadrons that are supporting dets on board LCS.

 

[Jim123]

Do you still get flight penetrated..ahem..violated if you're not actually in the drone that is busting the ADIZ/TFR?

You could always try an excuse like, "But I forgot the screen saver password!"