The next generation fighters may be unmanned, advantages – dissadvantages.

Hi all,

Since on more than one occassion I came accross a suggestions that the F-22, F-35 class aircraft may in fact be the last generation of manned fighter aircraft, I was wondering, if that’s where we are heading, what would the advantages or dissadvantages of such systems be?

Here are just some of my thoughts:

Advantage of unmanned fighter aircraft:

– The airframrame could be designed more aerodynamicly efficient – no canopy etc.
– Since there’s no canopy/cockpit, extra space for other stuff: more fuel, weapons, electronics etc.
– the aircraft could be designed to be more maneuvrable and withstand more G-forces, as there’ll be no human-pilot to pass out due to high G-forces.
– In general it might be cheaper to produce, as there’s no need for ejection seat, some instruments/gauges/lcd screens are not needed:)
– can be involved in higher risk situations, due to no risk to pilot.
– if it runs out of ammo/weapons or if it is damaged and can’t make it back can be used as a weapon/guided missile itself?
– etc.

Disadvantages:

– If someone breaks the code or hacks into the system it could be hijacked or used against you, like people break into computer systems etc?
-Sometimes there’s a situation when only hunan-pilot can make the right decision?
– they may look boring to us aviation enthusiasts due to lack of canopy:)
–

ok what do you guys reckon?