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U-2 retirement in 2026

"sensor to watch floor, to supervisor, to chat, to asset, to broadcast, to operator"
My armchair general take is that the faster information hits higher headquarters the more those “echelons above” leaders will be tempted to take tactical decisions when their mission is theater strategic. Basically the opposite of the “strategic corporal” and more “four star company commander.”
 
I'm also curious in the unmanned community how "exercising commander's intent" or in VP world "Mission commander's discretion" goes when you have phone call access on a watch floor to a higher up for time critical decisions. Basically, do we lose the "let the aviator make the decision they feel they need to in the moment and then answer for it postflight if necessary" though process? Are the unmanned seat riders less empowered or entrusted with less responsibility or authority like in a regular manned aircraft?


It depends on the AOR and what's going on. Sometimes we get autonomy. Sometimes we get driven fairly hard. 99% of the time they're just watching- the aircrews and the JTACs are making the decisions.

FWIW, manned assets that do what we do are also expected to be on strike bridge with the JTAC/JOC for certain missions.

It's tough to go into further details here.
 
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