Thursday, August 16, 2018

The U.S. Air Force Wants to Give Its Pilots The Ability To Control Drones From The Cockpit In The Air

F-35 with drones. Pinterest

Kris Osborn, National Interest: Air Force to Arm F-15s, F-22s and F-35s with the Ultimate Weapon

The Air Force and DARPA are now testing new hardware and software configured to enable 4th-Generation aircraft to command drones from the cockpit in the air, bringing new levels of autonomy, more attack options and a host of new reconnaissance advantages to air warfare.

The Air Force and DARPA are now testing new hardware and software configured to enable 4th-Generation aircraft to command drones from the cockpit in the air, bringing new levels of autonomy, more attack options and a host of new reconnaissance advantages to air warfare.

Working with BAE Systems at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., Air Force test pilots are combing ground-based simulators with airborne leer jets to demonstrate how 4th generation cockpit avionics can direct drones from the air, BAE Systems developers said.

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WNU Editor: If this new hardware and software is successful, the additional attack and reconnaissance options for pilots who can control drones from their cockpit will be huge.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just don't understand why we want in-aircraft pilots in a couple decades. We already now have the technology to remotely control pretty much any plane with any payload. And, without in-aircraft pilots (ie remote pilots and/or with AI/a hybrid form)we can carry more payload - not just bombs or fuel but also sensory equipment which can be used to further try to reduce collateral damage AND reduce the physical risk to pilot of course AND the planes/UAVs can maneuver differently, at higher speeds and higher altitudes, adding significant combat superiority. The list goes on and on. What is the argument on the human pilot side? Better target selection? I'd argue the opposite. The stress, sleep depreviation on long runs, the limited visibility, the smaller payload (sensors) and so on, leads me to believe in-aircraft pilots do not make better calls. But I'm happy to listen :)

Anonymous said...

Swarming of drones will be a thing and big advantage to who gets there first. War of the future is quickly entering SyFy realm with AI, robots, lasers, rail guns, space weapons. Not just air forces, the Navy will have swarms for its subs and surface ships, whether they swarm in the air or seas.