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<p>First off, just gotta say that most of this thread just brought a tear to this retired fighter WSO’s eye. Slammers, BVR, BFM and turning dog-fights! If only we could all somehow be in the squadron bar, shooting down our enormously over-sized watches while we demonstrate BFM maneuvers with our hands to each other over our beers! Sigh. I miss it.</p>
<p>But then I have to say, as a ex-flyer working in the office in the Puzzle Palace (aka. the Pentagon) that coordinates the AF’s fighter requirements for the next 30+ years, most of what Flieger just said here is spot in, and one of the major reasons while the military is leaning towards developing capabilities for the next generation of RPVs.</p>
<p>I’m leading the charge for the AF for the F-35, a “5th Generation” fighter, and it has been called the “last manned fighter” by quite a few in the know; their assumption is most likely true (but were planning for the F-35 to be around for next 50+ years or so). What the AF has just started to look at is the “6th Generation” of fighters and what capabilities they would need. Without getting into too much detail (and avoiding security issues), let’s just say that things will be “interesting”, and perhaps a little lonely in the actual aircraft… </p>
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<p>Nice discussion on the air-to-air aspects we are currently facing or will face. But flieger (the air-to-air guy that he is 
) forgot the other side of the spectrum: the surface-to-air threat. Probably the biggest reason for our move towards stealth (I mean, the B-2 ain’t designed to go toe-to-toe with a Flanker!) The other portion of the “contested airspace” equation. Without an air-threat or a SAM threat, RPVs can ride around in impunity to their heart’s content, spying on camels and shooting bad guys in caves. With a threat? Not so much. </p>
<p>And that is where “future capabilities” come into play. Mostly, we will need our future RPVs to have better Situational Awareness (“SA”) of their surroundings and what the threats are. Can the RPV contain sensors that can data-link information about the current situation to a pilot at some ground station, or someone managing the battle from an airborne station miles away? That is what we’re working towards. </p>
<p>Case in point. The F-35 pilot’s helmet will have ALL the information from its sensor package displayed on the helmet’s visor. No more HUD for the F-35 required; in fact, there isn’t one (the first fighter in over 60+ years designed without one!). Gives the operator “fused” instantaneous information about the current situation, increasing SA. Now, I foresee that this same type of helmet could be worn by someone not even on the plane, and they could be receiving a pretty timely and accurate picture of the current situation, giving them better SA. Not quite there yet for some of our bigger threats and enemy capabilities, but were getting there.</p>
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<p>See above.</p>
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<p>Again, pretty accurate assessment (flieger, you one smart cookie!) . It IS coming to a theater near you! Just think, in about a generation, we’ll have these really cool machines flying most of our dangerous combat missions for us! What a great world!
(Until they become so intelligent they become self aware, then start down a path of events that causes them to send assassin cyborgs back in time to kill Sarah Conner and her son John !) </p>
<p>But I will also say this, my office works “fighter requirements” for the AF, and we plan to have quite a few of today’s (and those being made today; the F-35) around long enough for some of YOUR kids to be flying them. I pity your grand-kids though…</p>