Originally Posted by rickair7777

From the perspective of a senior military guy who is well-connected with what is going on at the highest levels, this statement is completely incorrect.

The DoD plans on at least a 50-year horizon, and there are PLENTY of manned aircraft, some not even in production, in the long-term plan.

A gradual shift to more UAV's will largely supplement, not replace, manned aircraft. It will take an extensive trial period with UAV's before they are fully capable and trusted.

There will be fewer manned aircraft, but they are designed to be FAR more reliable...today, the airplane needs more downtime than the pilot, so you only need one crew per tactical airplane. In the future, the airplane will operate around the clock requiring multiple pilots in shifts.

Anyone who is old enough to read this will not be affected hordes of displaced military pilots searching for civilian jobs. Even when it happens it will be gradual, and many displaced military pilots will stay in for retirement anyway.

The biggest displacement in sight is the ANG F-16 squadrons...most of those pilots are part-time anyway and already have another job.