US Navy launches X-47B drone from aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Gonzo

A lot of young or aspiring fighter-pilots just shat themselves.

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by Donger

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

Mostly just a long distance surveillance drone isn’t it?

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Mostly just a long distance surveillance drone isn’t it?

The 47B is a demonstrator for UCLASS (Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike System). It's unlikely that the 47B will ever carry weapons, but UCLASS birds will.

[Chief Faithful]

Originally Posted by Donger

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

Take the pilot out of a fighter and you can design fighters that do not have to carry life support systems or design with human limitations in mind such as G force limitations. Fighter designs will be able to leap forward.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Chief Faithful

Take the pilot out of a fighter and you can design fighters that do not have to carry life support systems or design with human limitations in mind such as G force limitations. Fighter designs will be able to leap forward.

Yep, G loading has been a major limitation of our fighters (because of the human) for some time.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by Donger

Yep, G loading has been a major limitation of our fighters (because of the human) for some time.

Not just that but think about the marathon flights they can pull by rotating pilots.

[Radar Chief]

Originally Posted by Chief Faithful

Take the pilot out of a fighter and you can design fighters that do not have to carry life support systems or design with human limitations in mind such as G force limitations. Fighter designs will be able to leap forward.

Definitely.
Argued with a couple of fighter pilots when they found out I worked on HAWK. They told me about all the maneuvers they’d use to evade the missile and I simply said, “Can you pull a 110 Degree turn at Mach 3? Cause the HAWK can.”

[Chief Faithful]

Originally Posted by Radar Chief

Definitely.
Argued with a couple of fighter pilots when they found out I worked on HAWK. They told me about all the maneuvers they’d use to evade the missile and I simply said, “Can you pull a 110 Degree turn at Mach 3? Cause the HAWK can.”

Missile evation can be programmed and if it doesn't work so what? Today we have to be so careful because the pilot is the most unreplaceable resource, but with drones that pilot is on the other side of the earth in a bunker. I imagine fighters will be able to out perform older systems and cost less to manufacture and maintain.

Imagine, a bomber that can out perform an F18.

[Trivers]

Originally Posted by Donger

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

What happens if you put drone controls in a FY-22?

Will be happening sooner than later. 6th generation (?) fighter will not contain a pilot.

For you SiFi geeks, what was that Stargate TV episode where Jack is flying a fighter drone wearing a 360 degree viewing helmet?

[jiveturkey]

Originally Posted by Trivers

What happens if you put drone controls in a FY-22?

Will be happening sooner than later.

For you SiFi geeks, what was that Stargate TV episode where Jack is flying a fighter drone wearing a 360 degree viewing helmet?

Drone fighters are going to change the battlefield a lot more than recon drones IMO. They'll be able to push the physical limits of an air-frame a lot further than they are now.

Image trying to fight something that can easily pull 20g and maintain it?

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by Donger

Indeed, although the X-47B isn't exactly a fighter. It won't last long in a dogfight.

It's just the beginning though. Once they make drones totally self-sufficient, these things can out maneuver any piloted craft because it won't have to worry about blacking out / crushing the meatbag riding in the fuselage.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

It's just the beginning though. Once they make drones totally self-sufficient, these things can out maneuver any piloted craft because it won't have to worry about blacking out / crushing the meatbag riding in the fuselage.

You make an excellent point there, thought provoking to say the least.

But having just finished "Yeager" - one of the 10 most absorbing, exciting and interesting books i've ever read - i'm not so sure that even this extreme tech is a match for the human brain and ingenuity.

Seriously for anyone here who's interested in this sort of thing, that book is awesome... that was a redblooded, highly intuitive all-american MAN.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by scott free

You make an excellent point there, thought provoking to say the least.

But having just finished "Yeager" - one of the 10 most absorbing, exciting and interesting books i've ever read - i'm not so sure that even this extreme tech is a match for the human brain and ingenuity.

Seriously for anyone here who's interested in this sort of thing, that book is awesome... that was a redblooded, highly intuitive all-american MAN.

Chuck's still alive.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Donger

Chuck's still alive.

Wow, i was just kinda guessing he was gone... he must be 90 years old by now.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by scott free

Wow, i was just kinda guessing he was gone... he must be 90 years old by now.

Yes, he is. And, he went supersonic last year on the 65th anniversary of his 1947 flight in an F-15 at Nellis.