Originally Posted by
NutLoose
Often wondered, why stick a cockpitesque bulge on a unmanned aircraft when surely they could make it more streamlined and incorporate the hardware it houses throughout the design. I take it C of G may be a factor, but it does seem to be a hang over from manned aircraft design.
There's a steerable SATCOM antenna under there.
Flat-panel antennae aren't quite up to the job yet, though they probably will be in five or fewer years