[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I think the Air Force sees bad things ahead....from the article:

Trainers will turn out more pilots for Predators next year than for all other Air Force fighter planes combined.

[McCloud-Strife]

Since a lot of the Air Force is top heavy with Fighter Jocks I see it more as the brass being threatened. They know the writing is on the wall for manned fighter aircraft and with it, their monopoly on power they held for 60 years. Think of it like in the 30's when calvary was forced to give over to the tank

[Straight Vermonter]

You hit the nail on the head.