Fighter aircraft design is at a turning point. Pilotless aircraft, like drones and RPVs, have been top tech for years. So, why not take it further and design pilotless fighter jets? The key parts are set: GPS tech, autopilots, and full automation for takeoff, landing, and more.
But what’s holding us back?
Advantages of Pilotless Fighter Aircraft
The benefits of pilotless fighter jets are clear. They can be lighter, smaller, and cheaper to build and operate. They can also perform tasks that would overwhelm a human pilot. These aircraft can fly longer and stay on missions without risking a pilot’s life. The advantages continue to add up.
Outdated Technology: WW2 Battleships
Transitions like this are not new. In World War II, naval battles were often won by aircraft attacking ships. Carriers fought against each other without ever seeing the opposing vessels.
Battleships were once the peak of naval warfare technology. They were important in World War II. Ships like the Yamato-class weighed over 70,000 tons and had 18-inch guns. This massive ship could have destroyed any American battleship with little effort. Yet, torpedoes and bombs from carrier-based aircraft sank it while it was on a suicide mission. So, why was it built?
The U.S. Built Them Too
The U.S. Navy built Iowa-class battleships for similar reasons. Battleships were familiar to decision-makers. They took time to accept that aircraft had taken their place. Battleships had roles, such as night battles and shore bombardments. But, gun range and ship size weren’t the only factors that decided battle outcomes.
The F-35: More Effective as a Pilotless Aircraft
Today, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the latest in technology. Imagine how much easier, lighter, and cheaper it would be with automated systems instead of a human pilot.
A detailed trade study could be quite revealing.
Norman T. Neher, P.E.
Analytical Engineering Services, Inc.
Elko New Market, MN
www.aesmn.org