Begun the Drone Wars Have (From NRO)

Friday, March 5, 2010

Here's an interesting item from a National Review writer titled: Begun the Drone Wars Have

Doubtless, the Air Force is in a transformative time. In fact, this is cool stuff to fans of aviation.

But the author closes with an opinion that unmanned technology is rapidly making even our most capable aircraft -- the F-22 Raptor -- obsolete. (Do you agree? Weigh in with your comments.)

While that potential is there, our Remotely Piloted Aircraft are still a long way from taking on the all-important air dominance mission. And whatever new capabilities emerge, the U.S. still has to have the money to build them ... an increasing challenge.

Research & Development is more than promising -- it is potentially game-changing -- in areas like Airborne Laser, Remotely Piloted Aircraft and elsewhere. For the foreseeable future though, we need to keep enough fifth generation fighters in the skies to ensure global capabilities.