24/7/365 - Drone War Changed America | 63 comments (63 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

Re: How hard can it be (none / 1)

Operating characteristics of the next generation of drones are classified but it appears they will have an operating ceiling of 70,000 feet, stealthed, and carry a fighter/bomber-equivalent weapon payload.

There's no technical reason they can't meet those design specifications and there's good operational reasons for the Air Force, etc., to issue them. So I expect a "jump" in capability within the next 4 years.

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Tue Nov 29th, 2011 at 02:11:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How hard can it be (none / 0)

Of course, still the faster they go the harder it is for them to observe the territory, which is, at least for now the main point. They may be the substitute of bombers and cruise missils.

res humà m'és aliè

by Antoni Jaume on Tue Nov 29th, 2011 at 02:24:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How hard can it be (none / 0)

Just as happened with the "aeroplanes" in WW One it seems the drones are being split between intelligence/surveillance craft and fighter/interdiction craft. The next step is high-payload bombers, and I'll bet someone, somewhere, is already working on them.

With the US B-52 fleet of heavy bombers becoming overworked and tired I that "somewhere" is "here."

She believed in nothing; only her skepticism kept her from being an atheist. -- Jean-Paul Sartre

by ATinNM on Tue Nov 29th, 2011 at 03:00:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

24/7/365 - Drone War Changed America | 63 comments (63 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)

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