Drones

[MOPanfisher]

My expectation is that part of the reason the US isn't going whole hog on fighters is that the next round of air superiority fighters will be unmanned.  As such their ability to turn and maneuver will be like nothing we have ever seen, they will make it a contest for distant second place.  At least that is my hope.

[bfishn]

3 hours ago, MOPanfisher said:

... their ability to turn and maneuver will be like nothing we have ever seen...

Have you seen an F22 maneuver?

 

The ability to essentially stop in midair, fall out of the sky in a controlled manner, then kick it in the a$$ and scoot away in the direction of choice is pretty amazing. Guess it oughtta be at $40-60K an hour to fly...

[MOPanfisher]

I have seen some videos, but the limits are still what a pilot can handle without passing out.  No pilot no constraints, and no need for oxygen etc.  Pure maneuverability with the computer able to make the decision as to how much or when.  F22s are one of the ciestate planes out there, I am not a plane guy by any means but the term killing baby seals is apt for the 22s.

[Flysmallie]

50 minutes ago, MOPanfisher said:

I have seen some videos, but the limits are still what a pilot can handle without passing out.  No pilot no constraints, and no need for oxygen etc.  Pure maneuverability with the computer able to make the decision as to how much or when.  F22s are one of the ciestate planes out there, I am not a plane guy by any means but the term killing baby seals is apt for the 22s.

Agreed. The F22 is a beast. But it's still limited by the fact that you need to keep the pilot alive. Drones can be much more maneuverable than any aircraft that has a pilot inside. The technology is there to make drones the most feared thing that has ever been in the sky. Let's just hope nobody decides to use that against us. 

[MOPanfisher]

Whatever we can create other countries will copy.  What is the work of geniusess and billions of dollars the first time is the work of skilled fabricators after that. There will always be a competition between defense and offense,  so far we have always been on the leading edge.

[fishinwrench]

28 minutes ago, Flysmallie said:

The technology is there to make drones the most feared thing that has ever been in the sky. Let's just hope nobody decides to use that against us. 

It's only a matter of time until some rich disgruntled basturd takes out a county courthouse or a DMV office.  I'd hate to work anywhere like that with the kind of evil technology available now.   Scary stuff.

[snagged in outlet 3]

5 hours ago, bfishn said:

Have you seen an F22 maneuver?

They had one at the airshow this year.  Video's do not do them justice. 

[MOPanfisher]

I seem to remember the Air Force saying they didn't need/want additional F22s because there were no planes anywhere else that could compete with hem, it was overkill?  Seems perfect for an air superiority fighter.  We seem to be in a phase of trying to modify and use a single platform  (F35) for all things.  Seems to me that there while there are benefits to that, that having a true air superiority platform hat has no equal isn't a bad thing.  But again military strategist I aint, and haven't stayed in a Holiday Inn for quite a while. 

[Flysmallie]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

It's only a matter of time until some rich disgruntled basturd takes out a county courthouse or a DMV office.  I'd hate to work anywhere like that with the kind of evil technology available now.   Scary stuff.

You don't have to be rich or have any technology to do that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing

 

[oneshot]

1 hour ago, fishinwrench said:

It's only a matter of time until some rich disgruntled basturd takes out a county courthouse or a DMV office.  I'd hate to work anywhere like that with the kind of evil technology available now.   Scary stuff.

That is why Security is so strong where me and my wife works.  Even after work hours.

oneshot