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The US Air Force’s New Drones Are a Game Changer

Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:13 am
Posted by Auburn1968
NYC
Member since Mar 2019
25149 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:13 am
A drone fighter doesn't have to be limited to what the pilot's body can withstand.

quote:

The Collaborative Combat Aircraft program marks the next step in the evolution of airpower, signaling the beginning of the end for manned fighter platforms.
The US Air Force’s forthcoming Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program is designed to serve as an autonomous drone wingman to the sixth-generation F-47 NGAD, marking the beginning of a new era in airpower, where automated and manned aircraft work in synchronization.


https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/the-us-air-forces-new-drones-are-a-game-changer
Posted by UptownJoeBrown
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2024
7357 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:15 am to
It’s coming. That and a lot more.
Posted by Jobu93
Cypress TX
Member since Sep 2011
21159 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:15 am to
very interesting. the limiting factor will be the material itself. how many Gs it takes before losing structural integrity.
Posted by Breesus
House of the Rising Sun
Member since Jan 2010
69531 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:16 am to
Drone warfare is a terrifying prospect
Posted by saint tiger225
San Diego
Member since Jan 2011
46385 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:17 am to
Without reading, I'm guessing this is one of the ones Anduril (sp?) is working on. If y'all want to read about some crazy, futuristic type stuff go check out what they're developing. Some of it is kind of scary.

There are some interviews with the founder as well. I believe 60 mins had one with him maybe 3-5 years ago or so.

ETA - here's a couple of the interviews with the CEO. Haven't watched them so not sure if they're part of the same interview and just chopped up...
Anduril CEO unveils Fury unmanned fighter jet

I believe this is the one I'm talking about...

quote:

Palmer Luckey made his fortune with VR headsets, founding Oculus as a teen. Now he's focused on the future of warfare, developing autonomous weapons powered by AI for the U.S. military and its allies.
This post was edited on 7/25/25 at 10:22 am
Posted by SingleMalt1973
Member since Feb 2022
22337 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:17 am to
Well Shite…


Posted by boxcarbarney
Above all things, be a man
Member since Jul 2007
25700 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:18 am to
quote:

Drone warfare is a terrifying prospect



The drone footage from the Russia/Ukraine war is some scary shite.
Posted by Roaad
White Privilege Broker
Member since Aug 2006
81994 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:21 am to
Send our Karens to enemy countries

2 birds. .
Posted by Jobu93
Cypress TX
Member since Sep 2011
21159 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:22 am to
quote:

Drone warfare is a terrifying prospect


100% agree.

Drone swarms are a big problem.

On a Human level, I felt quite bad for the Russian soldiers who were videoed getting smoked by drone/grenade combos. Those soldiers were conscripts and wow they were in over their head.

This is a moment that is probably parallel to "over the top" WWI warfare walking into machine gun interlocked fields of fire. Very much a meat grinder.
Posted by 50_Tiger
Arlington TX
Member since Jan 2016
42968 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:24 am to
Were closer to Protoss Carriers than folks know

Posted by slacker130
Your mom
Member since Jul 2010
8933 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:25 am to
Yeah, but you end up shelving one of the coolest careers in the history of the world.

No one will give a frick if you're a drone pilot. You think the Top Gun franchise works if it's a bunch of nerds in a trailer flying drones?

Drones are gay.
Posted by Swamp Angel
Somewhere on a river
Member since Jul 2004
9707 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:26 am to
How long before they stick an R-2 unit in the fuselage behind the pilot's canopy?
Posted by Ponchy Tiger
Ponchatoula
Member since Aug 2004
48836 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:27 am to
quote:

It’s coming. That and a lot more.


If they are talking about it publicly, then they already have it and for awhile.
Posted by Funky Tide 8
Bayou Chico
Member since Feb 2009
55973 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:30 am to
I'm kind of shocked that there hasn't been some kind of crazy terrorist attack with a drone(s) yet.
Posted by LazloHollyfeld
Steam Tunnel at UNC-G
Member since Apr 2009
2036 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:30 am to
What happens when the communication links are interrupted controlling the autonomous drones? Seems like the communication system will be the weak point in the upcoming drone wars.
Posted by TigerHornII
Member since Feb 2021
1155 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:33 am to
quote:

very interesting. the limiting factor will be the material itself. how many Gs it takes before losing structural integrity.


Not exactly. Pulling G's requires energy, ie, the drone will have to slow some to turn. Lift to drag and a whole lot of other factors start coming into play. Circuit boards have g limits much lower than the theoretical airframes you could design too.

Drones will have advantages for sure, but it won't be some lopsided 10:1 or even 5:1 capability. More like 1.5:1. Even that though is 50%.
Posted by Ozarkshillbilly
Missouri Ozarks
Member since Apr 2025
414 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:37 am to
It will be a game changer for a time. Technology makes an impact for a time (first it was airplanes, then atomic weapons, then jet engines, then stealth etc.) but eventually the adversary's technology and tactics catch up to negate those advantages.

But I see a day when a lot of flying/fighting is done via drone/robots.
Posted by RebRxV
Member since Oct 2022
468 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:45 am to
quote:

Drone warfare is a terrifying prospect

Heh... Not to the pilots.
Posted by Donkus
Shreveport
Member since Feb 2013
1470 posts
Posted on 7/25/25 at 10:56 am to
quote:

You think the Top Gun franchise works if it's a bunch of nerds in a trailer flying drones?

Drones are gay.


Top Gun's volleyball scene is the gayest thing from the 80s.
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