Originally Posted by
RckyMtHigh
Never said it was happening now, said military is pursuing it.
On the cargo side...
https://www.military.com/defensetech...elicopter.html
AACUS is designed to deliver vital combat supplies such as ammunition, fuel, food, water and even blood to Marines and other combat troops operating in remote locations that are inaccessible by vehicles and greatly increase the risks to pilots flying resupply missions, Aurora officials said.
"It has a software package that enables it to make mission decisions on its own; it has a suite of sensors that allows it get information from the environment to inform its decision, and it is pushing the envelope on autonomous capabilities," Walter Jones, executive director of the Office of Naval Research, told an audience at the demonstration. "It can navigate to the location, even in a GPS-compromised area; it can determine the best location for a safe landing ... in low-visibility conditions.”
Challenger Aerospace readies newest cargo unmanned aerial vehicle - Defence Blog
“The Titan is an innovative cargo UAV designed for carrying out military transport missions. With a maximum take-off weight of around 3.5 tonnes, the Titan is one of the biggest cargo UAV int the World.”
http://www.militaryaerospace.com/art...hip-based.html
“Marine Corps leaders intend the future MUX unmanned aircraft to have an unrefueled combat radius with payload of 350 to 700 nautical miles; cruise speeds between 200 and 300 knots; time on station of 8 to 12 hours; internal payload capability of 3,000 pounds; external payload capability of 3,000 to 9,000 pounds; ability to operate from ships and austere fields; ability to receive aerial refueling; operate in all weather; and
ability to operate in national air space.”
This is where it will happen first, in a combat zone. They can fly on military reservations and in combat, but not in national airspace mixed with other aircraft. Nothing new, preds have been doing this for years.
And fighter side from the Air Force Research Lab...
Originally Posted by
RckyMtHigh
“Loyal Wingman, or unmanned fighters that can think autonomously, will be sent out alongside F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to scout enemy territory ahead of a strike, or to gather intel for the pilot in the formation. A flight demo is expected sometime in 2022.”
https://www.military.com/defensetech...ght-suits.html
It doesn't replace fighters, or pilots. It supplements the capability of the fighter. Certainly a small step in the autonomous direction, but it is a very huge gulf away from replacing human pilots in fighters.