Watching what is happening in Ukraine with regards to air power and battlefield support, it seems to me that we are being shown that the benefit/use of conventional/manned aircraft on the battlefield may be declining and that the world of drones and AI may be more cost effective and deadly. I grew up as a AF brat, and I love the piloted birds... but, with the cost and technical difficulties we have in the newer and newer models, and a reluctance to send in an expensive aircraft in contested air space, does it make sense to scale back on the manned fleet and invest more in the full lineup of the drones? I would think from a tactical and strategic standpoint that makes a lot of sense. I know some of you work either directly or indirectly with some of this and would like to hear your thoughts.
PS: I was going to post this in the Ukraine thread, but did not want to muck it up.
PS: I was going to post this in the Ukraine thread, but did not want to muck it up.
