If there is good life to be had, then it sounds like an idea worth the MOD to assess in a bit more detail along with F-18 - no harm in keeping options open.
Regarding UCAV operations, agreed for sometime to come there will be human in the loop whilst fully autonomous technology and doctrine matures (to solve ROE and other key contraints). However one could argue that in the BVR scenario you describe with an AMRAAM, the AAM is already a form of UCAV that once launched has its own guidance and decision making (countermeasure or real aircraft) to deliver the effect. What difference (in BVR situation) if the launch platform is actually a UCAV, the operator just happens to be sitting with a cup of coffee in his hand in a secure location miles from the action... just a thought...
QA