Hornet E or F?
Single-seat for A-A, two-seat for A-G: there's a reason the fleet of F15E derivatives around the world is still growing!
The UK's move to single-seat A-G is largely based on 2 assumptions:
A) A trend away from "man-in-the-loop" weapons: e.g. the gradual replacement of laser-guided weapons with GPS-guided ones
B) Succesful development of sensor fusion: the idea that multiple inputs, (e.g. datalink, radar, targeting pod, helmet-mounted cueing system) can all be brought together to produce one easily-assimilated picture for a heavily-tasked solo pilot
Unfortunately A) does not apply in all instances - witness the heavy use of the laser-guided DMS Brimstone during both HERRICK and ELLAMY. This is a weapon that needs aiming to within a couple of feet accuracy, which against moving targets takes 100% of the sensor operator's capacity - not ideal for a solo pilot. GPS jamming and moving targets mean that there will always be a need for designation into the future. As for B) - we'll see. To my understanding, it has not yet developed anywhere near as far as hoped. I think the UK has taken quite a risk by going single-seat only post-GR4 (although all will be aware that there are quite enough pilots around to fill back seats once the last WSOs have gone!)