RPVs

[sharpend]

Watching a PBS program at present which asks the question, when will RPVs take over totally from all but transport aircraft? Will F35 in fact last as long as the Canberra did?

[sharpend]

Actually, if you read the report of the top secret RPV that was lost over Iran, it appears that they are not perfect. Lose the satellite link and you lose a top secret piece of equipment over foreign territory. They also can be jammed or controlled by others. Maybe the manned aircraft is here for a while?

[KPax]

I believe there was a trial set up when Lt Gen Israel USAF wanted to cut the U2 for the Global Hawk, the test was to photograph the Pacific Fleet then return to Beale. Part way through the trial the Nav systems and Comms Links were disabled. The pilot flew the U2 to Beale, the Global Hawk went to a pre programmed position where it would ditch. At least that was the story we were told in Cyprus, bottom line, the U2 is still operational 25 years later.

[Mechta]

I believe there was a trial set up when Lt Gen Israel USAF wanted to cut the U2 for the Global Hawk, the test was to photograph the Pacific Fleet then return to Beale. Part way through the trial the Nav systems and Comms Links were disabled. The pilot flew the U2 to Beale, the Global Hawk went to a pre programmed position where it would ditch. At least that was the story we were told in Cyprus, bottom line, the U2 is still operational 25 years later.

To make it a fair fight, they should have disabled the cockpit pressurisation and the pilot's pressure suit too.