Keep man in cockpit

Spike88 · 05-21-09, 12:27 PM

I dont know how many of you guys, and girls, get the military.com news letter. I found this in mine, and found it quite humorous and a good read.
Just passing it along:

Quote:

The debate about piloted aircraft vs. unmanned has simmered down of late as Predators and others improve their effectiveness at hitting something. But as a reader notes, there may be compelling reasons to keep men and women in the cockpit — like staying alive! Secretary Donley and COS Schwartz — are you listening? Enjoy this amusing and well written piece by someone signing himself, Fred Pierce (former F-18D pilot):

http://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/05/15/keep-man-in-cockpit/

Highbury · 05-21-09, 12:47 PM

Unfortunately UAVs are taking over and will continue to. Next year for the first time ever the USAF is aquiring more unmanned then manned aircraft:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lt. Gen. Norman Seip

"Next year, the Air Force will procure more unmanned aircraft than manned aircraft," the general said. "I think that makes a very pointed statement about our commitment to the future of [unmanned aircraft] and what it brings to the fight in meeting the requirements of combatant commanders."

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/37275

My guess is that in 20 years (or less) all but the most sensitive aerial combat ops will be unmanned.

Spike88 · 05-21-09, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highbury

Unfortunately UAVs are taking over and will continue to. Next year for the first time ever the USAF is aquiring more unmanned then manned aircraft:

http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/37275

My guess is that in 20 years (or less) all but the most sensitive aerial combat ops will be unmanned.

And then skynet comes into play and we all die.

Zachstar · 05-21-09, 02:09 PM

Can we be serious about this please?

Unmanned is the future, period. One its cheaper and two you can lose em en masse to achieve an objective ignored before because of potential loss of pilots.

There is nothing a single person in a single aircraft can do that a flock of drones cant at the same cost.

And seeing as it is only a matter of time before such folks as china and russia start building them en masse. Id rather not continue past the F-35 for building these expensive manned vehicles.

PeriscopeDepth · 05-21-09, 02:44 PM

"Please keep man in the cockpit, or we will all lose our jobs!"

PD

Platapus · 05-21-09, 05:19 PM

There are missions where UAVs are more advantageous and missions where manned-flight are more advantageous.

Don't know what the fuss is about.

05-21-09, 02:09 PM	#4
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	Can we be serious about this please? Unmanned is the future, period. One its cheaper and two you can lose em en masse to achieve an objective ignored before because of potential loss of pilots. There is nothing a single person in a single aircraft can do that a flock of drones cant at the same cost. And seeing as it is only a matter of time before such folks as china and russia start building them en masse. Id rather not continue past the F-35 for building these expensive manned vehicles. __________________

05-21-09, 05:19 PM	#6
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,362 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	There are missions where UAVs are more advantageous and missions where manned-flight are more advantageous. Don't know what the fuss is about. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

05-21-09, 02:44 PM	#5
PeriscopeDepth Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,894 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	"Please keep man in the cockpit, or we will all lose our jobs!" PD