Pilotless A/C

[arcniz]

Re: Pilotless A/C

Think really hard about the following list of parameters for real aviation, Heavy and Light. If you will understand how painful it is (in a non-MIL environment) to pay for testing, repair, and replacement of very expensive complex systems components, time and time and time again, then likely you will conclude that inexpensive, interchangeable and amazingly adaptable crew persons will be desirable in the process for a long while to come.

Initial Manufacturing Cost,
Initial Capability,
Initial Operating cost,
Initial Reliability,
Initial Maintenance Cost
10 yrs later
Mid-life Capability,
Mid-life Operating cost,
Mid-life Reliability,
Mid-life Maintenance Cost
-Parts & skills availability
25-50 years later
End-of-life Capability
End-of-life Operating cost,
End-of-life Reliability,
End-of-life Maintenance Cost
-Parts & skills availability