Gents,
It is surprising how we attribute blame to these UAVs when the overriding evidence shows these accidents to be predominantly human factors based (pilot/operator and even programming error). They are all being rushed into service (pick an RQ/MQ number that has completed a full OT&E?) and then we all expect comparable performance to manned, and fully tested, platforms.
Remind me again how well the Oceana F-18D manoeuvered around that block of flats (or even the single-seat in Miramar)?
The GH Blk 30 could only ever carry 3000lbs vs the U-2s 5000lbs of sensors. Never a fair fight and a poor design match from the outset. Desperately poor program management (IMHO, but also very much a MANNED element) led to it finally (maybe) getting scrubbed, rightly so. Do we expect a manned replacement to the U-2 then? If you do, I would couch to not bet too much on it. Expect a GH Blk 50 with 4000lb payload and tech miniaturization to solve it eventually...
Pray rant away
FFS