Replies

Thank you ... makes my point even more strongly.

The air defense environment is only going to get nastier in the future ... whatever we send into it, manned or not, must be designed with that in mind.

101 posted on 08/27/2009 11:01:17 AM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)

The air defense environment is only going to get nastier in the future ... whatever we send into it, manned or not, must be designed with that in mind.

The phrase I have used on this is that an aircraft must be Invincible, Invisible or Disposable. A cheap drone fits the latter, but lacks the flexibility for the rescue escort or forward air control roles. Since both roles require low, slow and in daylight it can't be invisible, and since you need a person it can't be disposable. So an A-10 like flying tank becomes the only option.

102 posted on 08/27/2009 11:20:24 AM PDT by GonzoGOP (There are millions of paranoid people in the world, and they are all out to get me.)